German dairy farmer Bruno Stauf has found a way to cut out the middleman processor and put consumers’ money directly into his pocket. His solution? Install a stainless steel vending machine.
According to Reuters news service, the “Milchtankstelle” dispenses milk from 78 cows into containers that consumers bring or buy. The station is open 24/7 and customers pay the equivalent of 70 cents per litre, more than they pay in supermarkets.
Reuters reports that Stauf was getting only 20 cents a litre for the previous 18 months. He invested 12,000 euros in the machine and expects a quick payoff. His station is about 30 kilometres outside the large German city of Cologne.