Milk Processing Plants

In the 1870s, the cold water method was adopted in Loimaa. Milk was cooled, which helped the cream separate more effectively. Only manors and the largest farms could afford the equipment and facilities required for this method. In the 1880s, many village dairies were established in southern Finland. The first “shared milk house” in the Greater Loimaa area began operating in Alastaro in March 1884.

By the turn of the century, cooperative dairies became the norm. Initially, these were small, local co-ops organized by parish. Over the 20th century, operations became significantly more centralized.

Caption: Milk driver Virtanen at the store.
Photo: Collection of the Loimaa Society.
Donor: Kojonjoki Cooperative Dairy.