Mar 30, 2012 9:44 AM

Grand Rapids MI-based retailer Meijer has acquired plant operations at Bareman’s Dairy, a local family-owned company based in Holland MI. Meijer’s move into dairy production will also include a more than $8 million investment to expand the Bareman’s dairy plant in Holland.

“This is an exciting day for our company,” said Hank Meijer, co-chairman and chief executive officer. “As Meijer continues to grow, it’s crucial we invest in the operations that will help us keep our promise of higher standards and lower prices to our customers. Expanding into dairy operations will do just that.”

The new Purple Cow Creamery, named after the ice cream shops inside many Meijer stores and the famous Purple Cow cards frequently handed out by Fred Meijer, will produce white and chocolate milk in gallon and half-gallon sizes for the 101 Meijer stores in Michigan.

While it will be several months before the facility begins shipping milk products to its stores, Meijer will assume ownership of the dairy plant operations April 1, 2012. In addition, Carlinville IL-based Prairie Farms Dairy has acquired the rights to the Bareman’s Dairy brand and all Bareman’s distribution facilities, along with exclusive rights to distribute Bareman’s brand products throughout the Great Lakes region.

Meijer operates 197 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Visit www.meijer.com for further information.