Clover-Stornetta is a dairy processing and distribution company operating in the Northcoast region of California, processing 50,000 gallons of milk a day, seven days a week.

For most agricultural producers, operating in commodity-driven markets, low prices and product standardization are the keys to high-volume sales. Clover-Stornetta is taking a different tack, however, relying on product quality and business integrity for their success.

Dante Benedetti

"We have broken the chains of commodity-driven dairy markets by delivering a product that is tangibly and certifiably different than any other product on the market, and also by giving generously to our communities and employees," says Dante Benedetti, company President. "The promise we have always made is – the more successful we are, the more we will give back."

"We contribute to over 400 non-profit organizations within our 16-county marketing area. We say no to very few who ask for our help. Our owners and managers are also very involved in civic and community organizations. Personally, I am on the board of ten organizations, helping groups like the Sonoma County Community Foundation, the local Food Bank, and the Advisory Board of Sonoma State University. Our community involvement, combined with our financial support, make Clover's commitment to the community transparent. We're not shy about giving our support, and in turn, our customers are not bashful about asking for our products. Because of consumer demand, we find ourselves in chain stores around the area that wouldn't otherwise carry another brand of milk."

"By answering both consumer concerns regarding the product – food safety, social and environmental concerns – and our community's concerns regarding those less fortunate than ourselves, we have developed an incredibly loyal customer base."

In his senior year of high school, Benedetti ran the last big "can route" in his area, picking up 10-gallon milk cans from dairies and delivering them to the processing plant. "It was a wonderful piece of Americana. I don't know of anyone who is picking up cans anymore," Dante says with nostalgia. He worked his way through college in dairy processing and sales.

Clover-Stornetta was founded in 1977 by Gene Benedetti, Dante’s father, who built the company literally from the ashes of California Cooperative Creamery, the 2nd largest creamery in California when it was lost to a major fire in 1975. Dante, his father and 5 other co-owners feel a personal commitment to the business. "We have always worked together in the dairy industry. We are not investors, speculating on a business venture. These are our roots. We have a different outlook on growth that has allowed us to be a very cohesive group."

Together, they are very focused on processing and marketing a unique, high-quality dairy product. Their marketing program, "Northcoast Excellence Certified," has allowed them to separate their milk from the competition. Their claim of excellence is based on four basic premises: quality (based on certifiable lab results); ranch appearance (over 90% on CA approved drive-by appearance standard); rBST hormone-free (verified by a signed affadavit); and their approach to sustainable agriculture. The claims Clover-Stornetta Farms makes about their milk products are audited annually by an independent accounting firm.

Clover-Stornetta Farms employees take great pride in the company. "Our workforce is as eager and aggressive in the pursuit of what our company stands for as any you will find. It's how we relate to our employees that sets us apart from our competition. We demonstrate a special care for the employees and their families on a day-to-day basis. We are as close to a family organization as one could imagine. Employees working together with management is a force to be reckoned with, one you can't measure in dollars and cents. As a union shop, I'm not sure that we've gone to arbitration but once in over 22 years."

Dante and his partners have put that same care into their business partnerships. "Although we own no livestock, we have developed very close working relationships with 15 family farms. Together we have developed the Northcoast Excellence program and the parameters whereby they operate. That in turn has driven our ability to market."

Dante feels that their philosophy toward employees and community has done more to make them successful than a million-dollar marketing campaign could ever do. "The needs of the community define our marketing plan. We assume that if we continue to help the community, the community will be there to help Clover. This philosophy has enabled a relatively small processor/distributor to grow and flourish in one of the most highly competitive American industries – the food industry."

"You build a reputation based on who you are and what you believe in. That doesn't change when the business climate improves and competition relaxes. You can't rest on your laurels, or change your philosophy. The strengths of the company are our employees, our community, our consumers, and our owners. That's the strength of Clover."

Dante Benedetti
Clover-Stornetta Farms
PO Box 750369
Petaluma, CA 94975-0369
Tel: (707) 778-8448

[Table of Contents]