Cutting out the dairy middleman

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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.

Stauf says his milk contains more protein and fat than supermarket milk and his customers complain that store-bought milk doesn't taste good any more. The story did not say if the milk was unpasteurized.

Good luck marketing milk this way in Canada. BF