SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)–Prairie Farms took over the dairy processing plant on Russell Avenue in Sioux Falls in May of 2020. Now the farmer-owned Midwest dairy producer is launching a brand-new line of products. The impact it will have on the local plant and dairy farmers in tonight’s Your Money Matters.

“We have 15 dairy farms that contribute to our Sioux Falls plant. They are located in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. The closest farm is just 15 miles away from Sioux Falls,” Prairie Farms Dairy Public Relations Manager Darin Copeland said.

But in recent years, dairy farmers have felt the change as the demand for fluid milk sales has flatlined. However demand for another kind of milk has seen tremendous growth.

“We have seen the trends over the last five years. Lactose free products have grown. Volume growth has been 58 percent. So, we feel that more than ever, consumers are desiring more lactose free options,” Copeland said. 

Prairie Farms will now be adding a full line-up of lactose free dairy products.

“We know that there’s about a third of Americans that experience some sort of lactose intolerance.

Prairie Farms believes they will be the first dairy company to offer lactose free milk by the gallon.

These family size gallons will be offered at a price that’s very competitive with what our competitors charge for a half gallon carton.

The company says this new product launch is also great news for the local dairy farmers who bring their products here to the local Sioux Falls plant.

“We are very excited to announce that our Sioux Falls plant will begin producing lactose free milk in the gallon size in 2% and full for our markets in that part of the world beginning in late May and that you should begin seeing these lactose free gallons of milk on store shelves during June dairy month,” Copeland said. “We think this is going to be a good thing for consumers and it’s going to be a good thing for our dairy farmers because obviously that requires more milk in order to provide lactose free products.”

Prairie Farms will also be launching lactose free cottage cheese and sour cream options as well. 

“It’s actually made exactly the same way as all of our regular lactose dairy product offerings. The only difference with lactose free is that you add an enzyme which breaks down the lactose so that it’s easily digestible by those folks who are intolerant to it,” Copeland said.