Dairy with a difference milks milestone
A LEADING goats milk producer which supplies major supermarkets is celebrating 30 years in business.
Vale of York-based dairy St Helen’s Farm began in 1986 with a few hundred goats and started supplying supermarkets with natural and flavoured yogurts then fresh pasteurised goats’ milk.
Grocery names such as Hillards and Safeway were among its first customers and before long the St Helen’s Farm brand was on the shelves of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. It now also supplies Morrisons, Co-op and through online retailer Ocado.
Today, the business has expanded to include goats’ cheese, cream, butter and ice-cream and is the leading brand in all the goats’ milk product categories in which it trades.
To mark its 30th year, the brand is celebrating with a newly designed 30-year anniversary carton for its award-winning fresh goats’ milk.
Yorkshire is the UK’s largest producer of goats’ milk. St Helen’s Farm has two goat farms in the county and also takes milk from other family farms based in Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Paddy O’Keeffe, general manager at St Helen’s Farm, said: “The brand caters for consumers who don’t feel cows’ milk agrees with them and extending appeal to new consumers who want to try a healthy alternative.
“Animal welfare and product quality has been the cornerstone of the company’s philosophy over the years and eight of the St Helen’s Farm products carry the prestigious ‘Great Taste Gold’ logo as testament to excellence.”
Commenting on the company’s 30th anniversary, Mr O’Keeffe added: “This landmark presents a great opportunity for St Helen’s Farm to celebrate the success of the last 30 years with our loyal customers, but also attract new customers to consider switching to alternative milk and associated products.”
New product development will also feature as part of the brand’s anniversary year.
St Helen’s Farm is launching two limited edition flavours of its layered fruit yoghurts. Taking inspiration from classic British flavours, Rhubarb & Hibiscus and Gooseberry & Apple flavours will be added to the line-up, replacing the current flavours, Raspberry and Elderflower and Sicilian Lemon.
