[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9072]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING OAKHURST DAIRY

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, in honor of June being National 
Dairy Month, I rise today to recognize Oakhurst Dairy, located in 
Portland, ME, for supplying New England with essential vitamins and 
nutrients. Through its sale of refrigerated milk and dairy products, 
Oakhurst is committed to producing the highest quality goods sourced 
from over 70 local farms throughout Maine and northern New England.
  National Dairy Month began in 1937 in an effort to promote the 
immense benefits derived from milk and to stabilize the dairy demand 
during surplus production. Calcium, potassium, protein, and vitamins A 
and D are just a few of the indispensable nutrients found in dairy 
products that help reduce the risk for hypertension, osteoporosis, and 
certain cancers, while also helping improve weight management, muscle 
tissue repair, and healthy skin. Although this national campaign only 
lasts for the month of June, the family-owned Oakhurst Dairy is 
constantly working to increase awareness of the necessity of these 
nutrients through community integration and product innovation in 
northern New England.
  Stanley Bennett purchased the Portland dairy farm in 1921, naming the 
company after a grove of Oak trees found nearby. He promised to provide 
only the freshest quality products to all of his customers and 
established the trend of supporting the local community and the 
environment, practices which still hold true today. Oakhurst Dairy 
embodies the ideals of entrepreneurialism and encourages this spirit in 
others by resourcing products from small local farms to create their 
milks, dairy creams, cheeses, and juices. These products are then 
distributed to a variety of retailers, including chain grocery stores, 
and small independent grocery stores, and to foodservice outlets such 
as schools and restaurants.
  Oakhurst understands the importance of providing for its employees 
and in the 1940s became one of the first businesses in southern Maine 
to initiate company-paid medical insurance and deferred profit-sharing 
plans. Since that time, Oakhurst has been devoted to providing for the 
community at all levels. On the corporate level, every year Oakhurst 
pledges 10 percent of pretax profits to organizations supporting 
healthy children and a healthy environment. This company also inspires 
future generations by giving out numerous scholarships for academic 
achievements and even promotes the future of the milk industry by 
sponsoring 4-H dairy program awards given at agricultural fairs. On the 
individual level, employees are encouraged to donate their time to 
fundraising events for nonprofit organizations and are often found 
serving on local boards, dedicating their leadership skills to inspire 
valuable changes.
  The third generation of the Bennett family has continued to keep 
Oakhurst thriving, which now employs nearly 240 people. In addition to 
its headquarters in Portland, there are three distribution facilities 
located in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, each operating to 
guarantee healthy lives in the communities they serve. Oakhurst Dairy--
continuously seeking to improve the dairy industry--has recently began 
fortifying their products with beneficial additives such as probiotics 
and Omega-3, which improve digestion, cardiovascular health, and boost 
immunity. In addition to product innovation, Oakhurst Dairy has made 
several truly outstanding achievements, including perfect scores from 
Federal quality and sanitation inspections, and State awards such as 
the 2011 Maine Restaurant Association's Allied Member of the Year and 
the 2010 Maine Grocers Association's Vendor of the Year.
  In addition, Oakhurst Dairy insists on making green initiatives a top 
priority in an effort to minimize their impact on the environment. 
Within the last decade, the company has largely reduced carbon dioxide 
emissions and offset fuel oil usage by transforming nearly the entire 
shipping fleet into biodiesel fuel trucks and installing solar panels 
in several of its facilities. As a means to ensure product safety and 
customer satisfaction, Oakhurst became one of the first companies in 
the U.S. to offer financial incentives to partnering farms for 
abstaining from treating their cows with artificial growth hormones. 
Oakhurst continues this practice of avoiding growth hormone additives 
through their trademarked America's First Farmer's Pledge.
  Oakhurst Dairy continues to flourish, even in difficult economic 
times, thanks to its commitment to innovation and service. Year after 
year, Oakhurst Dairy has cultivated a winning strategy through its 
tradition of public service, safeguarding the environment, and keeping 
New England healthy. As a strong advocate for dairy farm protection, I 
am proud to extend my best wishes to the entire Oakhurst Dairy 
operation for their continued success.

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