“We are pleased to announce that our transaction to acquire a substantial portion of Dean Foods’ assets has officially closed. With the final closing, DFA will pay $433 million to acquire 44 of Dean’s facilities as well as certain corporate functions.

As part of the agreement with the Department of Justice, DFA will divest of three facilities located in De Pere, Wis., Harvard (Chemung), Ill., and Franklin, Mass.

After months of uncertainty regarding the future of these facilities, this transaction will secure milk markets for dairy farmers and ensure nearly 11,000 jobs in communities across the country.

As a cooperative founded, owned and governed by family farmers, the finalization of this agreement is important to our commitment to protecting and preserving family dairy farms for generations to come.”

This statement was released May 2 by Monica Massey, executive vice president and chief of staff, Dairy Farmers of America