Dairy on Demand: Farm-Fresh Success with Milk Vending
Host Barry Caslin, Teagasc was joined by Michaella McMahon & Mark Hanrahan, Unison Process Solutions, and Shannon Porter, The Milk Bar, Donegal. The panellists provided an overview of how farmers can supplement their income by directly selling fresh milk.
Why Milk Vending?
Supporting Local
By choosing milk from vending machines consumers directly contribute to their local economy, ensuring that their money benefits their community.
Quality
Supermarket milk undergoes homogenization and standardization. In contrast, milk from milk from vending machines retains its natural qualities, including a rich layer of cream on top.
Sustainability
The two big environmental benefits of milk vending machines are; reducing the use of plastic packaging and cutting down on food miles. By buying milk from local milk from vending machines, consumers can reduce their carbon footprint.
The Milk Bar
Shannon Porter spoke about The Milk Bar, a milk vending machine on her home farm in Co. Donegal, in operation since 2021. It offers a direct, fresh, and more profitable route to connect with consumers. The introduction of The Milk Bar milk vending machine has allowed them to supply fresh, unprocessed milk directly to consumers and local businesses, including coffee shops and restaurants.
Watch the webinar
View the presentations
- Unison Process Solutions (PDF)
Michaella McMahon & Mark Hanrahan, Unison Process Solutions - The Milk Bar (PDF)
Shannon Porter, The Milk Bar, Donegal