Wilcox Family Farms to Close Cheney Dairy Facility,
Plans to Expand Organic and Cage-Free Egg Product Lines

"Wilcox Family Farms announced today [April 1] that it will be closing its dairy operations in Cheney on April 30th.

The closure is part of a move by the company to exit the dairy business entirely and follows the closure of its Roy, WA dairy operations at the end of March.

According to company officials, the family determined that it is not "economically feasible .. to continue in the dairy processing business."

Higher operating costs and the domination of the milk market by large business has made the venture unprofitable for several years.

Currently, the Cheney plant, which was opened in 1997, produces over 230,000 gallons of milk each week," quoting KREM Channel 2.

CLICK HERE for the Wilcox News Release.

Reported previously on the February 6, 2008 Yelm Community Blog:
"Wilcox Family Farms announced today [Feb 5] that it will close its Roy, Wash. dairy facility and sell selected assets associated with the Roy operation. This decision does not affect the company’s facility in Eastern Washington, located in Cheney, which will remain open. Wilcox will continue to maintain dairy deliveries and operate their milk plant in Roy through March 2008, and has been working with Darigold to assist in customer transitions. Through the transition, Wilcox will continue to serve their network of distributors, including Springbrook Farms. Wilcox family members attributed the decision to increasingly higher costs to do business in the dairy industry.

The sale does not affect Wilcox Family Farms’ egg division; in fact, the family will continue its 100 year-old egg operation and plans to focus their resources on expanding their natural, organic and cage-free egg products produced on their 1,500 acre farm in Roy...

'We want to become the premier organic and natural egg brand for consumers that care about fresh, healthy egg products and maintaining family agriculture in the Puget Sound area and beyond,' Wilcox says. 'We are very excited about the opportunities we have to expand our organic and cage-free egg business. It feels great to see animals out on the land where they belong.'

A family-owned business, Wilcox Family Farms was started in Roy, Wash. in 1909 by Judson and Betty Wilcox and is now managed by their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The company operates two egg production facilities – in Roy and Aurora, Ore. – and is one of the leading egg producers in the Northwest. In addition to shell eggs, Wilcox also provides liquid eggs to food retailers, bakeries and food service operations. For more information about Wilcox Family Farms, visit www.wilcoxfarms.com," quoting their Press Release.