Walmart Opens Valdosta, Georgia, Milk-Processing Plant

More than two years in the works, Walmart officially opened its milk-processing facility in Valdosta, Ga. — its second owned and operated milk plant. The facility is expected to create more than 400 jobs and was first announced in October 2023.

The 300,000-sq.-ft. facility represents a $350 million investment by the retailer to bolster its “end-to-end supply chain for affordable, high-quality milk,” the announcement said. It also supports the company’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing and local sourcing.

Valdosta is expected to process and bottle gallon and half-gallon sizes of whole, 2%, 1%, skim, and 1% chocolate milk for the Great Value and Sam’s Club Member’s Mark brands, to be sent to more than 650 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores across the southeastern U.S.

Walmart’s first owned and operated milk-processing facility resides in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the company also owns and operates case-ready beef plants in Thomasville, Ga., and Olathe, Kan. (which opened this past June).

But Walmart isn’t stopping there, having announced in March 2024 its plan to build a third milk-processing plant in Robinson, Texas, with an expected opening in 2026. The company has pledged to invest $350 billion in U.S.-made products by 2031, and these facilities will help the retailer toward meeting that goal.