The Next Chapter for Polka Dot Dairy: What You Need to Know

Dear Loyal Polka Dot Dairy Customers,

We understand that you may have questions about recent changes affecting our products and services. In this comprehensive blog post, we aim to provide you with all the details you need to know.

A Century-Long Legacy: The History of Hastings Creamery

• 1913: Formation of Hastings Cooperative Creamery

• 1950s: Start of operations in Hastings, MN

• 1956: Polka Dot Dairy begins its long-standing relationship with Hastings Creamery

A Series of Changes: Mergers and New Ownership

• 2018: Merger with Plainview Milk Products Cooperative

• 2021: Acquisition by Hastings Creamery, LLC, a group of organic farmers

The Closure and Its Impact

• August 18, 2023: Hastings Creamery ceases operations due to financial mismanagement and poor oversight

• Impact on Polka Dot Dairy: The closure affects our product quality and availability, leading to challenges in inventory and delivery.

Navigating the Challenges: Our New Sourcing Strategy

• Regional Suppliers: We've started sourcing dairy products from other suppliers in the region

• Inventory Challenges: The shift has led to a high number of out-of-stock items, and we're working diligently to address this

• Key Product Mix Changes:

  Gallons of Milk: Polka Dot brand

  Whole: Red
  2%: Blue
  1%: Purple
  Skim: Pink

  Half Gallons of Milk: Prairie Farms brand, same color scheme

  Quarts of milk: Whole, 2%, Chocolate, and Buttermilk will be Prairie Farms “Squat” quarts, which essentially look like a “baby” gallon and have the footprint of a half-gallon (9 units to a case). Skim quarts will be discontinued.

  Pints of milk: we will no longer feature a “fresh” (limited shelf life) pint, instead we will offer Prairie Farms 14 oz. extended shelf life Whole, 2%, Chocolate 1%, and Premium Chocolate. Skim will not be offered.

  Half and Half Quarts and Pints will be Kemps brand, as will Whipping Cream Pints. All will be in plastic bottles.

  Cultured Products will be primarily Prairie Farms brand, and will include:

  • 8 oz. PF Sour Cream

  • 16 oz. PF Sour Cream

  • 16 oz. PF 4% Cottage Cheese

  • 8 oz. PF French Onion Dip

  • 12 oz. Mid America Top the Tater

  • 6 oz. PF Yogurts (Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach)

  • 2 lb. Old Home Yogurts (Plain, Fat Free Plain, Fat Free Vanilla)

What's Changing: Product Mix and Pricing

• September 2023: Introduction of new pricing and product mix

• Product Mix Changes:

  • Gallons of Milk will remain Polka Dot brand

  • Half Gallons will now be Prairie Farms brand

  • Quarts and Pints will see changes, including some discontinuations

  • Cultured Products will primarily be Prairie Farms brand

Our Commitment to You

We're committed to maintaining the quality and service you've come to expect from Polka Dot Dairy. We appreciate your loyalty and understanding as we navigate these changes.

Conclusion

Thank you for being a part of the Polka Dot Dairy family. Your continued support means the world to us, and we're excited to share this new chapter with you.

Warm regards,
Polka Dot Dairy Ownership, Management, and Staff