UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. The Upper Macungie Township Planning Commission reviewed several plans during a workshop Monday night. 50 Haver Farm Rd, Clinton, NJ 08809. More than four months have passed since dairy producers Kent and Coreena Meyer opened a letter from their milk processor, Wakefern Food Corp., owner of Readington Farms in Whitehouse Station, N.J., informing them they no longer would pick up their milk. The project will initially generate 281 jobs, although that figure could grow to 500 within about five years, the grant application says. It will also be breezy and cool. The company will withdraw its grant application for a facility in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. As the country switches to cheaper sources from places such as Brazil, it puts more focus on a possible demand problem in the U.S. and causing beginning stocks to swell. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Meyers milk quality is exceptional, with a somatic cell count hovering around 67,000 and P.I. 1 for 4 weeks, Air Products to build hydrogen refueling station near energy complex in Edmonton, Canada, What the Tech? Readington Farms, Inc. * 4 Principals See who the company's key decision makers are 24 Contacts Reach the right people with access to detailed contact information. We hope this does not happen. They quickly needed to figure out which route to go with their milk. Why is China Suddenly Canceling Purchases of U.S. Corn? Township officials said Monday night the roundabout will serve as a "traffic-calming" and "speed-reducing" device. The commission will meet virtually at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Grants typically arent awarded until the annual state budget is set, according to governors spokesman J.J. Abbott. Learn more by visiting theReadington Farms website. This rating has improved by 2% over the last 12 months. These areas would be separated from the large turf field and would serve as a place where meetings, conferences and other activities and events would take place. To find out if you are eligible, click the links below or contact the Department of Agriculture at 716-847-3185, for seniors, contact your County Office for the Aging General Assistance: (800) 342-9871, or online by clicking here. Email agent. The 350,000-square-foot plant will prime Readington Farms expansion into the Midwest, a state grant application says. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I am sure this was figured out before Readington announced they were shutting down. The dairy sought $20 million for the Palmer Township proposal in 2019 but was awarded only $2.5 million. Pingback: 2022 milk futures rally continues as butter leads the spot market gains | Ag Moos, Pingback: Are we moving toward cow islands and milk deserts? No one was more shocked than I was. counts less than 2,000. The township's plan is to build a covered turf field with an indoor walking track and multipurpose courts. The project presented Monday night proposes to construct a roughly 90,664- square-foot warehouse and office building on the site. ALSO READ | Marijuana dispensaries spark controversy in Paterson, * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts, NYPD detective dies after spending 33 years in a coma, Brooklyn residents get scare after several manholes explode, Top NYPD officials suggest car owners get AirTag to prevent theft. Will the loss of the premium Readington paid adversely affect the premium Milk Marketing Board requires? Located in Loganton, Penn., Meyer Dairy Farm LLC is home to 220 milk cows, 200 plus replacement heifers and 450 acres of corn, alfalfa and grass. Wakefern owns and operates more than 250 ShopRite supermarkets, its website says. Lets see where it goes, Colver said. And Dairy Farmers of America bought 44 plants, including several in the Northeast, from Dean Foods in 2020 as that company went through bankruptcy proceedings. Readington was also increasing hauling costs and reducing premiums, so I have no idea what our next two milk checks will look like before we switch companies.. View contact profiles from Readington Farms Popular Searches Readington Farms Located in Loganton, Penn., Meyer Dairy Farm LLC is home to 220 milk cows, 200+ replacement heifers and 450 acres of corn, alfalfa and grass. The land is zoned for light limited industrial use. The name on the containers was been changed to Bowl and Basket. I thought this was a strange name. The project proposal would sub-divide a 7-acre parcel, located at 1431 Nursery Street, into two parcels one of 6 acres and the other 1 acre. Error! LVPC Executive Director Becky Bradley will also discuss "community guidance on personal shooting ranges" at the meeting. On December 29, 2021, Reading Farms requested an exemption based on the reasons set forth in its 28-day notice request . Updated: 7:21 PM EST December 16, 2020. Unconfirmed reports are that Readington will stay in operation until all of their producers have an alternative market for their milk. The plant can process 15,000 gallons of milk per hour. The credit union will be "mostly drive-thru and not walk-in," according to planning commission Chairman Charles Deprill. The process gives milk a longer shelf life, the sheet says. If you are logging in to our new site for the first time, we need to reset your password. The state budget runs out June 30. The Meyers milk quality is exceptional, with a somatic cell count hovering around 67,000 and P.I. Readington Farms, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corp, is a high volume, multi-product line producer of Bowl & Basket milk and spring water, orange juice, iced teas, and drinks for Wakefern banner brands ShopRite and Price Rite Marketplace. This is not the Readington we have known for over 20 years. Even with all of these developments, I never thought Readington would close their plant. They said they were unaware. READINGTON TWP. The last checks from Readington were cut and issued. When you factor in the equipment and the projects expanding scope, its cost could reach $200 million, he said. "I came out to feed the cat, my legs started shaking, I went down on the ground, my head was hurting, your eyes go first, I went down on the ground and finally I could get up," said Readington Township resident Lyle Armstrong. Later that day, a certified letter from Readington arrived informing them on the very same news. They immediately went into action and I am sure they will be following the events that occur with the Readington to help protect the dairy farmers. I had . Up until this fiasco, Readington has always been sought after by producers as the premier milk market and we were happy with them.. Readington Farms seeks $20 million for the project from a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant. The Meyers have shipped their milk to Readington for more than 30 years. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. USDA Begins Implementing Climate-Smart Program. The project, to be located at 340 Grange Road and 6914 Ruppsville Road, involves the construction of a one-story, 191,631-square-foot recreational facility. They were not aware of the situation with Readington. . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten,or redistributed. Karen OShea, a Wakefern spokeswoman, stated, After evaluating our existing capabilities and the changing consumer demand for milk and plant-based options, we recognized the need to have a facility that could produce a broader variety of beverages.. The Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based dairy hopes to relocate to 1600 Van Buren Road in Palmer Township. Readington Farms was founded in 1888 as Durling Farms, a milk bottler in Pottersville, N.J., produces milk, bottled water, orange juice, iced tea and other drinks for more than 350 ShopRite and Price Rite grocery stores, along with QuikCheck convenience stores in the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Coreena Meyer immediately began doing her homework. DFA is a national cooperative with 7000 members and seven fluid milk and beverage plants in the Northeast/Midatlantic trading region, many of them purchased during the Dean Foods bankruptcy sale in May 2020. Or click here. This is not the Readington I have known for more than 20 years, he notes. There was an error processing your request. Maybe I should have, because I witnessed a new name on ShopRite products, including milk. The strong smell has neighbors holding their noses and concerned about their health. Grain markets collapsed this past week, posting lower weekly closes on massive fund selling. The developer is seeking four waivers. A high-tech dairy processing and distribution center in Palmer Township could pump $250 million into the local economy, according to an economic development professional attached to the project. On Wednesday, the Easton Planning Commission unanimously approved land development plans for the construction of a new Markle Hall garage. Readington Farms, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wakefern Food Corp, is a high volume, multi-product line producer of Bowl & Basket milk and spring water, orange juice, iced teas, and drinks for Wakefern banner brands ShopRite and Price Rite Marketplace. A letter that was received in the mail the day before Christmas telling them they were losing their milk market. Karen OShea, a Wakefern spokeswoman stated, After evaluating our existing capabilities and the changing consumer demand for milk and plant-based options, we recognized the need to have a facility that could produce a broader variety of beverages., Arden Tewksbury, manager of Progressive Agriculture Organization, questioned if producers should have seen the train coming in an opinion guest editorial. Overall, a total of three "flex buildings" are proposed to be built. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Then I was told that a dairy cooperative was inspecting Readington dairy farmers. Readington patrons premiums were reduced from $0.75 per cwt to $0.25 per cwt, effective for Januarys milk. The negotiated premium is still good today. Another question is who is going to supply the amount of milk to ShopRIte that Readington was shipping to them? The Meyers were not alone, however. The building is now home to a medical and adult use marijuana production site, owned by Verano holdings. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. A couple of years ago the bid was $80,000 and now in 2022, the project is estimated to cost $125,000., The Meyers line of credit racked up to $200,000 after they pre-paid seed and other costs. With the calendar recently flipping to May, the Meyers are trying to calculate how much nitrogen they will need for their fields. News 12 is waiting to hear reaction from Readington Township. Meyers said she stretched her decision out to the end, knowing that it was in her farms best interest to pencil the different scenarios out and find the best market for her milk. Training and coaching them to meet our company goal. The plan also calls for the construction of multipurpose buildings. This has put millions of dollars into the pockets of farmers. All Rights Reserved. He hasnt received any specific information about the plan, but said what hes heard so far sounds good. A representative of the board immediately called Readington Farms and reminded Readington of the Pennsylvania law requiring the milk handler to give milk producers 28 days notice before termination. The most time was spent on the preliminary/final subdivision and land development plan for the proposed Upper Macungie Township Community Center. Read Readington News - April 2023 by Town Media on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. The grant application calls for a plan submission in April or May. 27% of employees would recommend working at Readington Farms to a friend and 25% have a positive outlook for the business. - The Township Committee passed ordinances clarifying the application process for sewer capacity and allowing Readington Farms expansion during its Monday, Oct. 2, meeting. Anyone that knew anything about Readington Farms was shocked when they heard the news that they were closing their plant and releasing their dairy farmers. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Cost: $50. It's not. My major concern is that Maryland-Virginia and Dairy Farmers of America may cherry-pick the producers they want, leaving some stranded dairy farmers without a market for their milk. Calls have also been placed with Verano and the New Jersey DEP. Readington Farms is affiliated with Wakefern Food Corp., one of the largest grocery retailer cooperative groups in the United States, the grant application says. However, it is very evident that no one has taken the pulse of their dairy farmers. I had many experiences with Durling Farms, the former owners of Readington Farms and Readington Farms. Meyers says that some of the other Readington patrons made knee-jerk decisions based on fear. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. According to its website, Readington Farms produces milk, bottled water, orange juice, iced tea and other drinks for more than 350 ShopRite and Price Rite grocery stores and QuikCheck convenience stores in the Mid-Atlantic and New England. NEWS & NOTICES Readington Township Facebook Page Check it out to View and Follow for Township News and Events Read More AUCTION OF TOWNSHIP PROPERTIES + 2023 Memorial Day Parade + FREE for community residents: Blue Angel & File of Life Programs + YMCA veterans wellness program + The Meyers farm is in partnership with their son, Kyle, who represents the fifth generation of dairy farmers. A Carson representative didnt respond to a call seeking comment. Readington Farms Inc. Whitehouse, NJ United States Additional Information Plant Number: 171 Product Categories MILK & LIQUID DAIRY PRODUCTS Eggnog Pasteurized Half & Half, Coffee Cream, Creams Pasteurized Milk, Reduced Fat, Lowfat & Skim Raw Milk for Pasteurization (May include Lowfat, Skim or Cream) Back to Listings The Meyers have shipped their milk to Readington for more than 30 years. With every-other-day pick-up, business as usual is going on at Meyer Dairy. The land is zoned for light. I began requesting comparisons for November final milk, she says. A representative of the board immediately called Readington Farms and reminded Readington of the Pennsylvania law requiring the milk handler to give milk. Please log in to comment by clicking here, PO Box 150,93 Erie AvenueNarrowsburg NY 12764 The same day as this interview, the Meyers had received a note from their milk hauler, stating that the last pick-up would be February 15th. Numerous calls have been placed to police, and a neighbor says they are no longer responding to any calls regarding odors from the growing operation. Readington Farms is seeking $5 million in state aid through the RACP program. She knew that between Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Lanco-Pennland and Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers, there were options on the table as to where they could ship milk to. As the calendar moves past the spring milk production peak, dairy farmers attention remains laser-focused on the milk price and overall margin outlook throughout the remainder of this year. Its not like we can compare apples to apples.. The Maryland Virginia co-op (MDVA) could make real inroads gaining access to the supply of milk that Readington has. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The proposed Upper Macungie plant will include tractor-trailer parking. How to make sure your tax refund, other mail doesn't get stolen, What the Tech? Everyone said they would love to take us on, Coreena states. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Corporate Relations Get the big picture on a company's affiliates and who they do business with. Every dairy producers worst nightmare. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. It's going to kill us, Coreena says. The Readington plant remained in the Durling family for four generations before being sold to Wakefern in 1990. Just like they did with the nightmare before Christmas headache. There was an error processing your request. Grain markets end mostly higher Friday on end of month profit taking. Albanese says the huge filtration units that use charcoal were recently delivered to be installed. In addition, it is difficult to read the contents on the containers, including the milk fat percentage. We wanted to free up the line of credit for emergencies to allow us to breathe.. Board Staff approved the request on January 6, 2022. Those processors are Dairy Farmers of America, Lanco-Pennland or Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers. Competing for talent is the most concerning human resource matter for agriculture and food employers, followed by recruiting difficulties. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. The iconic Readington Farms plant bottling milk brands for ShopRite and other stores both subsidiaries of Wakefern Foods Corp. is concluding negotiations to procure its milk and other beverages from Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), according to an email response today (Dec. 23, 2021) from Karen OShea, Wakefern corporate communications. Start Your Free Trial Those who drive along a short stretch of Route 22 through Reading are bound to catch a quick whiff. It starts at the farm. There also are questions regarding the premium payment to dairy farmers required by the Pa. Palmer Township Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver was among those who approved the zoning change earlier this year. Mayor John Albanese says the planning board is in constant talks with the company and that changes are about to happen. Our People are our most important ingredient. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Kyles 9-year-old son, Adam, is the potential sixth generation and the Meyer family is trying to stay positive for their future but feels overwhelmed with all they have recently been through. - Nestled in the bucolic atmosphere of this township lies about 1,300 acres of farmland that is producing healthy, organic produce and provides plenty of pasture for free-ranging And the truckers faithfully hauling dairy milk; what will happen to them? They encourage producers to look at co-op fees, hauling expenses, base penalties and over-based deduction. The Readington Farms proposal for 8550 Main St., near Interstate 78 and Route 100, would generate about 480 vehicle trips per day, with about 60 during peak hours, officials say. The farm is reconsidering a project they had put off due to the low milk prices the last several years. Who is Readington Farms Headquarters 12 Mill Rd, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, 08889, United States Phone Number (908) 534-2121 Website www.readingtonfarms.com Revenue <$5M Industry Agriculture General Agriculture Readington Farms's Social Media Is this data correct? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten,or redistributed. Maybe I should have because I witnessed a new name on ShopRite products, including milk, he shares. The dairy sought $20 million for the Palmer Township proposal in 2019 but was awarded only $2.5 million. This item is available in full to subscribers. Its going to be very high-tech. They said they were unaware. READINGTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- A marijuana cultivation plant in New Jersey is causing a stir for people who live nearby because of the odor. The evening's final review centered on a preliminary land development plan for the 7312 Windsor Drive Warehouse, located at the same address. | Ag Moos. The smell is coming from the old shuttered Walmart. counts less than 2,000. Its really hard to do a comparison because so much is changing, the Meyers note. That is a good question, I respond. The LVPC will also go over a two-step parking plan at Lafayette College. No decision has been made on what to do with the Readington Farms plant that processes 15,000 gallons of milk per hour. A huge milk processing company is looking to bring its more than $250 million plant to Pennsylvania, but its not coming to Palmer Township. Success! At this point, Upper Macungie is not planning to install a swimming pool. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Its been evolving with the equipment they want to bring in, Payne said. The land is zoned for light, limited industrial use. At Chrins request, the township board of supervisors rezoned part of the land so that a dairy is now permitted. Readington Farms is seeking $5 million in state aid through the RACP program. But farmers do not have to just go with DFA. The application filed in March says the project will pump $225 million into the economy, but Chip Payne says that figure has grown since the application was submitted. Lets hope and pray the cost of converting from an independent milk handler that pays a real premium to selling to a cooperative that charges marketing costs will enable farmers to stay in business. READINGTON, New Jersey (WABC) -- A marijuana cultivation plant in New Jersey is causing a stir for people who live nearby because of the odor. Asked July 12, 2022 2 answers Answered December 16, 2022 - Supervisor - Whitehouse Station, NJ Supervisor of 50 plus employees. The smell has neighbors holding their noses and concerned about their health. Walter and Ann Dobozynski formerly ran this scenic 230-acre farm as a dairy, but sold it to the state for preservation in 1995. Readington also encouraged its producers to discuss the next steps and that they would not automatically be transitioned to a processor. In 2019, Readington Farms was authorized a $2.5 million RACP grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Authority to build a new milk plant and headquarters in the Lehigh Valley. Grants typically aren't awarded until the annual state budget is set, according to. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Those premiums were established a long time ago and were given to each of its producers. Dairy farmers need this confirmed. DFA members have asked why DFA is taking on more producers when the present shippers have been paying a high marketing cost with DFA. 4 talking about this. Other unconfirmed reports are that the agreement between Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and ShopRite indicates that DFA has agreed to take on any Readington shippers that need a home for their milk. I informed them about the closing. The Readington Farms proposal for 8550 Main St., near Interstate 78 and Route 100, would generate about 480 vehicle trips per day, with about 60 during peak hours. Planning Commission to review dairy building in Upper Macungie, Lafayette parking deck, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. "And now we get this odor, and people don't want to come and some people would rather stay outside, but the fact is they don't want to smell the odor," said American Legion member Daniel Dort. From the independent family farms that supply our milk to our Readington Farms family in Whitehouse Station that processes it, to our fleet of truck drivers, we form a family dedicated to a single goal delivering the freshest, most delicious glass of milk to every table. Currently, Wakefern is concluding negotiations with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) to provide its fluid milk and other beverages. We are also working with DFA on a path to offer cooperative membership to the dedicated direct shippers who currently supply Readington, if they so choose, OShea stated. You have permission to edit this article. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). In conclusion, I want to say that after I heard about Readingtons closure, the first call I made was to the PA Milk Marketing Board. In 2006, dairy producer Ken Smith and family purchased an old truck stop property near their family dairy farm and began an ice cream business. Time will tell. However, the township is exempt from complying with the ordinance. China canceled more corn purchases this past week. No one was more shocked than I was. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. You have permission to edit this article. Its all going to eat up the extra money thats coming in now with the milk check.. I made a lot of phone calls and emails and worked to get comparisons.. After an Ugly Week are the Grain Markets Signaling a Major Price Reset Similar to 2013? A certified letter from Readington went out to its patrons, stating that their last pick-up would be February 15th. With increased costs from veterinary bills to dairy supplies to feed bills they were looking forward to higher milk prices. These farms have a selection of fir, spruce, and pine treesand while you can cut your own, it needs to be tagged (in other words, saved) by an employee and paid for before cutting. I had the opportunity to review the present costs and the net payment to farmers for Readington, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and the Maryland-Virginia (DMVA). Those premiums were established a long time ago and were given to each of its producers. I had many experiences with Durling Farms, the former owners of Readington Farms and Readington Farms. The letter encouraged producers to discuss the next steps and that they would not automatically be transitioned to a processor. (845) 252-7414, Copyright 2023 Stuart Communications, Inc. |, Please log in to comment by clicking here, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. Class III milk saw it's first green in several days. The Walmart closed back in 2018, and left the giant space available. Pre-design plan review was to be part of the Upper Macungie Township Planning Commissions August 2021 meeting, but this review was postponed to October and again postponed to January 2022, according to township agendas and minutes. All rights reserved (About Us). The [brand] name on the containers was changed to bowl and basket.. The township is proposing 409 parking spaces specifically for the new community center. While Readington did put DFA contact information on the letter to its patrons, it clearly stated that producers would need to contact DFA or other processors to find a new home for their milk. The project also includes a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Lenape Trail and Grange Road. The plant remained in the Durling family for four generations before being sold to Wakefern in 1990. A new public market in South Bethlehem? Once again, the Meyers get out a pencil and paper and start doing their homework to figure out which is the best route to go. The Readington Farms proposal for 8550 Main St., near Interstate 78 and Route 100, would generate about 480 vehicle trips per day, with about 60 during peak hours.
