The Sainsbury Dairy Development Group (SDDG) will comprise of up to 450 dairy farmers from the direct suppliers of Robert Wiseman Dairies and Dairy Crest, who supply Sainsbury's total requirement of 420 million litres of fresh milk each year.
“In the Vision for the Dairy Industry the NFU advocated retailers and farmers coming together to create relationships that would foster more trust and mutual understanding,” said Gwyn Jones of the NFU dairy board.

The food retailer hopes that, by having the SDG and a group of dedicated local farmers supply stores with milk, they will be able to pay them more, charge customers less and reduce road miles that produce travels.

“We welcome the opportunity to get closer to our end customer, and we are pleased that there is a long term commitment from Sainsbury's to help us find efficiencies and innovation in the chain,” said Andy Bloor, chairman of the Wiseman Milk Partnership.

Source: foodanddrinkeurope.com