L.P. The deal, as initially structured, could have lessened competition in bidding to supply milk to school districts in at least 18 counties in Alabama. The Department said that the sale of the Huntsville plant, with its distribution routes, will ensure that competition is maintained in those school districts. The spin-off will preserve competition, which is especially important in markets like school milk, where there has been a history of collusion that has caused substantial harm to consumers.
School districts purchase milk in half-pint containers.
They have specific delivery requirements and are serviced by dairies that have distribution systems in their Page 2 districts. Contracts are typically awarded each year after a formal bidding process. Dean Foods Company, headquartered in Franklin Park, Illinois, owns and operates fluid milk processing plants and ice cream plants. It sells and distributes its fluid milk and other products to a variety of customers, including school districts. Barber Dairies, Inc., headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, also owns and operates fluid milk processing plants and ice cream plants.