Maitland joins campaign to buy branded milk

Maitland shoppers took to Facebook on Tuesday to voice their disappointment at the plight dairy farmers are facing and their desire to do their bit to help.

Kim Harris scooped up one of the last bottles of branded milk on the shelf at a Rutherford supermarket on Tuesday. She said there was a lot of home brand milk that had been left on the shelves.

Stacey Hipwell said she buys the Devondale long life milk if she cannot buy branded milk at the supermarket, while Casey Smith said she would “go without milk" if she could not secure a bottle of branded milk. 

“I haven’t bought the unbranded milk in many years,” Ms Hipwell said. 

Sam Kedwell reminded shoppers they could buy branded at other outlets across the city.

“A lot of local bakeries and paper shops sell brand name milk,” he said. 

The campaign comes after more than 2600 farmers in four states were hit with a price cut after Murray Goulburn and Fonterra slashed the price they pay farmers for milk.

Hunter dairy farmers won’t know their fate until the 2016-17 financial year prices are unveiled at the end of June, but they are convinced the price will drop. 

Amie Paroissien said buying branded milk was an easy way to support farmers.“ I think if people can afford it then it is a great thing to do,” she said. “I will only be buying farmers’ brands.”