PORTLAND, Maine — Nov. 10, 2014 — Oakhurst, Northern New England’s leading dairy brand, announced today that it is launching two new milk lines — Oakhurst Almond Goodness, a dairy-free almondmilk in three flavors and Oakhurst Lactose Free in 2 percent, 1 percent and fat free skim. The company has been developing these new lines for almost three years and will be the first New England dairy to offer consumers a local branded alternative to traditional milk.
“Consumer taste preferences are changing and a growing number of New Englanders are discovering that they have dairy allergies or lactose intolerances,” said John Bennett, President of Oakhurst. “Many of these consumers have already made the decision to switch and they’ve been asking us to provide an Oakhurst alternative to the national brands, and we are ready to deliver.”
Bennett continued: “With 93 years of history in the milk business, we are certainly not advocating that traditional milk lovers give up on dairy, but we do want to a become the local brand that helps New Englanders find the right milk for them – whether it’s traditional dairy milk, lactose free milk or a non-dairy alternative like almondmilk.”
According to Oakhurst, consumer demand is driving the increased interest in plant-based foods and dairy alternatives. In the last 12 months, almondmilk sales are up over 43% and now account for more than 5% of the total milk category. According to the National Institute of Health, 25% of the U.S. population suffers from some varying degree of lactose intolerance. Allergy growth continues to climb as well.
“While traditional dairy products still account for more than 92% of our total sales, we are well aware that consumers are looking for a high quality almondmilk from a local brand,” said Jim Lesser, Oakhurst Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “These new products are not only delicious, they allow us to appeal to a broader range of consumers, and the expansion positions Oakhurst to explore a range of new products.”
John Bennett added: “We have the responsibility to remain a strong, competitive company, supporting both our employees and the nearly 60 Maine dairy farmers who supply our company each week. Part of this means being responsive to consumer demand. In fact, over the years, Oakhurst has added a number of dairy-free beverages like orange juice, apple juice, teas and lemonades – many of which were inspired and requested by consumers.”
Bennett concluded: “While we expand into the alternative milk category, we want to reassure Maine’s families and farmers that we remain committed to our Maine dairy farmers, just as we’ve done for generations. We will continue to donate 10 percent of profits to organizations that support healthy kids and the environment, as well.”
Product Information
Oakhurst Almond Goodness
The introduction of Oakhurst Almond Goodness is in response to a growing consumer interest in the benefits of almonds, which are celebrated for their low-calorie, high fiber, high calcium goodness. Oakhurst Almond Goodness is ideal for individuals who have dietary restrictions or are seeking plant-based alternatives.
Oakhurst Almond Goodness is:
- Available in half gallons in three delicious flavors – Unsweetened Original, Unsweetened Vanilla and Chocolate
- Dairy-free, soy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, casein-free, egg-free and MSG-free
- Made with Non-GMO ingredients
- Free of cholesterol and saturated fats
- An excellent source of calcium (45% of DV) and vitamin D (25% of DV) and rich in vitamin E (50% of DV) and vitamin B12 (50% of DV)
At 30 calories per serving, the Unsweetened Original and Vanilla contain no added sugar.
In addition to the above attributes, Oakhurst Almond Goodness Chocolate is guaranteed to satisfy the most intense chocolate craving at only 100 calories per serving.
Oakhurst Lactose Free
Oakhurst Lactose Free is for those individuals seeking to reduce or eliminate lactose from their diets, but who still want all the fantastic flavor of traditional dairy milk. Oakhurst Lactose Free is 100 percent lactose free and is produced by farmers who commit to not using artificial growth hormone in their milk. In addition, the new lactose free products are loaded with calcium (30% of DV) and vitamin D (30% of DV) and remain a good source of protein at 8 grams per serving. The new line will be available in half gallons.