Jilbert Owner Dean’s Foods Files for Bankruptcy

The company that provides much of the milk and other dairy products for Copper Country residents has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Dean Foods is the largest dairy distributor in the United States.

Dean bought U.P.-based Jilbert’s Dairy in 2006. In our area, it also distributes products under its own name, along with the TruMoo, Meadow Gold, Land-O-Lakes and Country Fresh brands… and several dozen additional nameplates in other parts of the country.

Dean Foods President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Beringause says business will continue as usual during the reorganization.

Beringause also revealed that discussions are underway toward a potential sale of Dean’s Foods to Dairy Farmers of America, which is a nationwide milk producers cooperative.

Industry observers say the company has been hurt by declining milk consumption, particularly among younger consumers. It also suffered a blow when Walmart pulled its business, and opened its own dairy distribution network.