Time Magazine is reporting on a class action settlement against dairy producers from 2003 to the present and Arizona is one of the states where individuals are eligible to receive $10 to $20 dollars (Time Magazine is reporting $70 - the amounts may depend on how many people submit a claim) and entities can receive up to $560 by filing a claim at http://www.boughtmilk.com/.
Adding another wrinkle to the mix is the press release by The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), which states while Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) admits to no wrongdoing, "CWT will pay $52 million to the plaintiff class in a combination of cash and in-store loyalty cards to be used for the purchase of fresh milk products." So maybe cash? Maybe gift cards? The Bought Milk site gives cash denominations so we will go with that for now.
All you need to have done over the last 14 years to receive your portion of the $52 million dollar settlement is to have made a purchase of, "milk or fresh milk products, including cream, half & half, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, or sour cream."
Additionally, if you are part of an entity such as a school or after-school program, and you purchased the above mentioned dairy products and did not charge students or participants for them, you are eligible to receive between $280 to $560.
Sadly, the reason why this suit was brought is disturbing:
"This lawsuit alleges that Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) and its members attempted to limit the production of raw farm milk by prematurely slaughtering more than 500,000 cows, in order to illegally increase the price of milk and other fresh milk products."
Not to fear though, NMPF wants you all to know:
“The CWT Program is poised for a quick rebound and a strong future. We will continue to focus on CWT’s present mission of providing member cooperatives with export assistance, creating new export market opportunities and continuing to look for innovative ways to increase sales of milk and dairy products for participating cooperatives.”It sounds to me like looking for "innovative ways to increase sales of milk and dairy products" is what got them in trouble in the first place. For my money, just focus on providing a good product with some kind of ethical standards.
