The South Australian Dairy Farmers Association will today launch its own brand of milk called SADA Fresh in Adelaide – representing a first for any Australian dairy industry association.
The association struck a special licensing deal with Paramalt which will see the milk processed and packaged at its dairy processing facility at Clarence Gardens, and 40 cents from every two-litre container sold will be used to fund finance projects that benefit the state’s dairy industry and farming communities, The Weekly Times Now reports.
SADA president David Basham said that the new brand will enable consumers to support local dairy farmers directly.
“Our dairy farmers are often asked by people what they can do to support the industry which has been going through some pretty tough times because of low prices, poor seasons and rising production costs," said Basham. "Now consumers can show their support in a very tangible way by purchasing SADA Fresh.
"It will help to safeguard an industry that is vital to the state and make sure they have the choice in the future of buying quality, fresh local dairy produce.”
Basham hopes that the new brand will inspire other agricultural industries to follow the SADA model.
"SADA believes this approach could prove to be a model for other agricultural industries looking for ways to fund research and development, and that it will certainly encourage innovation and value adding in South Australia’s dairy sector, leading to new products and new markets, both domestic and export," Mr Basham said.
SADA Fresh will initially be offering two products; a full cream and a low fat milk which will be sold exclusively at Coles for the first 12 months.
John Durkan, Coles chief operating officer said that the retailer was ‘delighted’ to be stocking the brand.
"SADA approached us with the suggestion of creating a regional milk brand in South Australia and now after a significant amount of work by SADA, Parmalat and our buying team to finalise the sourcing, licensing, processing and packaging, we are delighted to sell SADA Fresh milk in more than 50 stores across the State," he said.