CAMP HILL, Pa. — Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has been working closely with the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board (PMMB) and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) to advocate for dairy producers who received letters last month demanding payments as part of the Dean Foods bankruptcy case.
Independent producers who previously shipped milk to Dean received the letters the last week of November from ASK LLP, a bankruptcy law firm representing Dean’s estate, demanding a partial refund of past milk checks.
American Farm Bureau last week sent a letter to ASK LLP, asserting that there is no legal basis for the firm to be demanding payments from farmers and calling the maneuver a “predatory shakedown.” Farm Bureau’s letter demanded that the firm retract its demands by notifying each affected farmer within 10 business days, returning any funds already received, and ceasing any litigation against farmers who did business with the company. At the same time, PMMB engaged the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and contacted ASK LLP questioning the legal basis for the demand.
As a result of these efforts, ASK LLP worked with PMMB on a simple, one-page form that farmers can fill out to demonstrate that the payments they received for milk sold to Dean were part of routine business and, therefore, do not need to be paid back.
Please note there are separate forms for farmers and milk haulers. Be sure to include the file number and date listed on the letter received from ASK LLP and return the form via email, fax, or US Mail to the paralegal assigned to the matter as noted in the letter from ASK LLP.
The Center for Dairy Excellence is holding a conference call this Thursday, Dec. 10, where PMMB officials will discuss this matter further.
To join the call:
Dial 978-990-5000 via free conference call.
Enter Access Code 553371, followed by the # sign, when prompted.
You will automatically be entered into the conference call. You will automatically be muted when you join.
Questions must be submitted in advance of the call by texting or calling 717-585-0766 or emailing zmyers@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
–Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
‌