Clover Sonoma will invest $30 million in its Petaluma operations over the next two years and has already added 21 jobs in milk plant production and warehouse work, CEO John Coletta told the Press Democrat in a story published Monday, Oct. 19.

Why it matters: Local dairy farmers who sell to Clover say the move eases fears the creamery could leave, at a time when Sonoma and Marin milk production has fallen 62% since 2020.

What's in the plan

  • A bigger refrigerated warehouse and other plant upgrades; new filler and case-packer machines are already running.
  • A search for land near Petaluma for a possible "culture and innovation" facility focused on new cultured dairy products.
  • More non-milk products such as high-protein Greek yogurt. Milk is about 80% of sales today.

Back to its roots

Colombia-based Alpina bought a 70% stake in 2021 with plans to go national. Coletta said California has proved more profitable; today just 1% of Clover's sales come from out of state.

Petaluma Mayor Kevin McDonnell called it "a great statement about the future of Petaluma, and the future of agriculture in the south county."

"A lot of businesses are leaving California and Sonoma County, and for them to want to build in the footprint they're already in is amazing," said Santa Rosa dairy farmer Jennifer Beretta.

The milk squeeze

Sonoma and Marin farmers produced about 32 million gallons of milk last year, 87% organic, down from 86 million in 2020. Coletta said that means trucking in some milk; less than 10% comes from outside California, depending on the month.

The Press Democrat also noted criticism from Factory Farm Watch about some Clover suppliers in the San Joaquin Valley; Coletta pointed to annual third-party animal care audits.

More North Bay business: Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures' $11 million fund.