Vermont abruptly loses another factory as dairy industry rapidly spirals

The dairy industry has had a rough 2025…and unfortunately, the impacts are being felt locally across Vermont.

With dairies closing across the country…

And ICE raids disrupting production…

It’s no wonder that yet another Vermont dairy factory is throwing in the towel.

More specifically, Vermont is losing a long-standing piece of its dairy heritage as a major milk bottling facility prepares to shut down, leaving dozens of workers without jobs and ending nearly eight decades of operation.

HP Hood has confirmed it will close the Booth Brothers dairy plant in Barre, a move that will eliminate around 50 positions when production winds down in the coming months ths. The facility has been a staple of Vermont’s milk industry for decades, bottling and distributing dairy products across New England.

The shutdown reflects growing pressure across the region’s dairy and food-processing sectors. Rising energy costs, packaging expenses, and shifting trade dynamics have made it increasingly difficult for mid-sized processors to stay competitive. Many companies are consolidating production into fewer plants to control costs and adjust to uneven demand.

For Barre, the loss runs deep. The Booth Brothers plant has been a consistent employer and economic anchor for the area. Its closure means more than just the loss of fifty paychecks – it affects local haulers, maintenance contractors, and suppliers tied to the plant’s daily operations.

Vermont has seen similar challenges throughout its agricultural economy. Dairy farmers have struggled with volatile milk prices, higher feed costs, and changing market structures. The closure of one of the state’s remaining bottling operations underscores how fragile the supply chain has become from farm to shelf.

Unfortunately, the bottom line here is another Vermont dairy plant gone – and fifty livelihoods lost as the state’s once-steady milk industry continues to feel the squeeze of rising costs and global market shifts.

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