SEATTLE – Milk products from Pacific Northwest farmer-owned cooperative Darigold will now be showing up on East Coast store shelves for the first time. The company announced it partnered with New York-based distributor Big Geyser to bring Darigold’s single-serve flavored and white milk products to New York.

Dan Hofmeister, president of Darigold's business to consumer division, said the company has its sights on establishing Darigold as a national brand for consumers.

Among the largest beverage distributors on the East Coast, Big Geyser said its New York distribution territory includes grocery, drug stores, convenience stores and mass merchandisers, as well as club and corporate/institutional food service providers.

"Given the sheer size of the New York market and Big Geyser's incredible reach and reputation, we believe this is a great opportunity to turn more consumers on to Darigold,” Hofmeister said. “What's more, as one of the most influential pop culture and media markets in the country, the visibility boost stands to be really significant for us as we look to strengthen awareness of the Darigold brand."

Darigold shared that its aseptic single-serve chocolate, strawberry and white milk products will be sold at delis, cafés, grocery stores, pharmacies, C-stores, bagel shops, bodegas and other specialty food stores in New York through the new partnership.

"We have a 38-year track record of identifying emerging brands with significant upside potential and helping them get to the next level through successful launch in one of the most influential cities in the world, New York," said Jerry Reda, president and chief operating officer at Big Geyser.

"Darigold has the hallmarks of a great national brand, with milk from farms that are ideally suited to producing top-quality dairy and beloved products in and around its Seattle home,” Reda said. “We think they're a great addition to our lineup of favored beverage brands, and consumers around New York are in for a treat when they choose any Darigold flavored milk."

The Seattle-based marketing and processing subsidiary of the Northwest Dairy Association, Darigold produces a full line of dairy products for retail and operates 11 plants.