The plant and its related business are part of a previously announced settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over an antitrust dispute with farmers in the Northeast. Farmers there have complained for years that Dean dominates the milk-buying market and has helped to hold down prices paid to farmers.

Dean Foods agreed to sell the business, which handles milk processing, selling, marketing and distribution, as part of this settlement. It includes sale of the dairy processing facility and equipment, as well as the Golden Guernsey and La Vaca Bonita brands.

From the April 19, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News.