Production Halted At College Dairy

Production at College Dairy near Walla Walla ceased Wednesday as new owners converted the 68-year-old milk bottling plant to a distribution center.

Jeff Collier, general manager of College Dairy, said the sale, announced last week, to Broadview Dairy in Spokane affected 18 employees. He did not know how many would lose their jobs; some will continue as drivers.

Broadview bought the dairy from a pair of California investors for an undisclosed price. The investors had bought the company last year from Walla Walla College, but were unable to turn a profit, Collier said.

“The day for small town processors has passed,” he said.

Broadview expects no disruption of service to College Dairy grocers, located from Pendleton, Ore., to Spokane. Broadview initially will package products under the College Dairy label.

College Dairy processed 96,000 gallons a month, Collier said, a fraction of what Broadview handles. , DataTimes