NINTH AVENUE FOODS

What NINTH AVENUE FOODS does

Ninth Avenue Foods is a fourth-generation family-owned B2B manufacturer specializing in private label and co-packing services for dairy and plant-based beverages. Operating from two facilities—a West Coast headquarters in City of Industry, California, and a 260,000 sq ft Midwest headquarters in Columbus, Indiana opened in 2024—the company serves brand customers across the United States and internationally. It employs its own ESL (Extended Shelf Life) manufacturing technology, which combines high temperature processing with ultra-clean filling environments to produce dairy and non-dairy products with extended shelf life while maintaining nutritional benefits. The company also utilizes Direct Steam Injection UHT systems, custom blending capabilities, and allergen segregation protocols, with an advanced aseptic PET packaging launch scheduled for January 2026.

The company's product portfolio spans standardized milk, lactose-free milk, flavored milk, protein-fortified beverages, dairy creamers, half and half, heavy whipping cream, and organic milk and creamers, alongside plant-based beverages featuring oat, almond, coconut, flax, and date ingredients. Packaging formats include ESL bottles (8oz to 52oz), ESL gable top cartons (8oz to 64oz), HDPE bottles, PET bottles, and corrugated boxes. The company holds SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification with certified PCQI and SQF practitioners on-site.

Revenue is generated through contract manufacturing fees and product margins under a quote-based B2B pricing model where customers contact the company for custom pricing based on specifications and volume. The go-to-market approach relies on direct enterprise field sales, relationship-based engagement, and an inbound inquiry model. The company differentiates itself through proprietary ESL technology, 50+ years of industry experience, sustainable manufacturing practices including methane capture and renewable energy, and a personal service-oriented approach to private label partnerships.

Name

NINTH AVENUE FOODS

Legal name

Ninth Avenue Foods

Website

https://ninthavenuefoods.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ninth Avenue Foods is a fourth-generation family-owned B2B dairy and plant-based beverage manufacturer specializing in private label and co-packing services using proprietary ESL (Extended Shelf Life) technology, serving brand customers across the United States from facilities in California and Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Manufacturing

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Shelf-Stable Aseptic & Retort-Pouch Foods Manufacturing (AFAKACAL)

Keywords

• Dairy manufacturing
• Private label beverages
• Co-packing services
• ESL processing
• Plant-based beverages

Headquarters

HQ city

City of Industry

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Private Label Manufacturing: Manufacturing and packaging products for reputable brands and private label vendors. The company produces and packages dairy and plant-based beverages under customer brands, generating revenue through production fees and product margins.
2. Co-Packing Services: Contract manufacturing services where Ninth Avenue Foods provides production capabilities, processing, and packaging for brands seeking to outsource manufacturing operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ninth Avenue Foods is a fourth generation family-owned dairy and beverage manufacturer providing private label manufacturing and co-packing services for reputable brands and private label vendors in the U.S. and internationally. The company produces and packages a portfolio of dairy products (standardized, lactose-free, flavored, protein fortified, organic milk, creamers, half & half, heavy whipping cream) and plant-based alternatives (oat, almond, coconut, flax, date-based drinks and creamers) using proprietary ESL (Extended Shelf Life) processing technology. It offers end-to-end production support from concept to launch with packaging formats including ESL bottles, ESL gable top cartons, HDPE and PET bottles, and corrugated boxes.

Product overview

Ninth Avenue Foods operates as a food and beverage manufacturing company offering private label and co-packing services. The product portfolio spans dairy products (standardized milk, lactose-free milk, flavored milk, protein fortified beverages, dairy creamers, half & half, heavy whipping, organic milk and creamers) and plant-based alternatives (oat, almond, coconut, flax, and date-based drinks and creamers). The company manufactures ESL products using Direct Steam Injection UHT Systems, with packaging available in ESL bottles (8oz-52oz) and ESL gable top cartons (8oz-64oz), along with HDPE bottles, PET bottles, and corrugated boxes. Aseptic PET packaging is planned for January 2026 launch. The Columbus, Indiana facility spans 260,000 sq ft of production space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standardized Milk Traditional dairy milk produced using ESL (Extended Shelf Life) technology for extended shelf life while maintaining nutritional quality, manufactured for private label and brand customers.
• Lactose-free Milk Dairy milk processed to remove lactose for consumers with lactose intolerance, produced using ESL technology for extended shelf life.
• Flavored Milk Milk beverages with added flavors produced using ESL technology with consistent flavor profile and extended shelf life.
• Protein Fortified Milks and Beverages Milk and beverage products enhanced with additional protein content, produced using ESL technology.
• Dairy Creamers Dairy-based creamers for coffee and beverages, produced using ESL technology.
• Non-dairy Creamers Plant-based creamers made from natural ingredients like oat, almond, and coconut.
• Half & Half Dairy product combining milk and cream for coffee and culinary uses, produced using ESL technology.
• Heavy Whipping Cream High-fat dairy cream suitable for whipping and culinary applications, produced using ESL technology.
• Organic Milk & Creamer Organic dairy milk and creamers produced using ESL technology.
• Plant-Based Alternatives Non-dairy beverages made from natural ingredients including flax, date, oat, almond, and coconut, produced using ESL technology.
• Private Label & Co-Packing Services Custom contract manufacturing and packaging services for brands and private label vendors, producing and packaging dairy and plant-based beverage products under customer brands with personalized service and expert team support from concept to launch.
• Aseptic PET Packaging Advanced aseptic PET packaging technology launching January 2026 at the Columbus, Indiana facility for superior beverage quality and safety; lightweight, clear, strong, infinitely recyclable, and widely accepted in curbside recycling programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extended shelf life for dairy and non-dairy products while maintaining nutritional benefits
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Greater Columbus EDCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Public-private collaboration with the Greater Columbus EDC (Economic Development Corporation) supporting the company's expansion into Columbus, Indiana. The partnership contributed to the establishment of the 260,000 sq ft Midwest headquarters and production facility, creating 101 new jobs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Pacific Foods: Owned by Campbell Soup, produces shelf-stable dairy, plant-based beverages, and broths using aseptic and ESL packaging. Comparable as a shelf-stable dairy and plant-based co-packer with focus on premium natural channels.
• Stonyfield Farm: Organic dairy and plant-based brand that has invested in ESL processing and works with co-packers for capacity. Comparable as a customer profile and as a producer exploring the same ESL + organic positioning.
• Forager Project: Plant-based beverage and dairy-alternative brand using ESL/aseptic packaging. Comparable as a customer candidate for ESL co-packing and as a peer in the plant-based ESL beverage category.
• Califia Farms: Plant-based beverage brand with ESL/aseptic processing for oat and almond milks. Comparable as a potential customer and as a peer using ESL technology for plant-based beverages.

Broad incumbents

• TreeHouse Foods: Public private-label food and beverage manufacturer with broad category exposure including coffee, creamers, and shelf-stable beverages. Comparable as a private label co-packer; notable as a competitor for private label creamer and beverage RFPs.
• Dairy Farmers of America: Largest US dairy cooperative with extensive fluid milk, ESL, and ingredients manufacturing across dozens of plants. Comparable as a national dairy co-packer but at vastly greater scale and breadth.

Direct peers

• Shamrock Farms: Family-owned dairy processor that runs ESL and aseptic lines for private label milk, flavored milk, and cream products. Highly comparable as a privately held, mid-sized dairy co-packer serving regional and national brand customers.
• Prairie Farms Dairy: Dairy cooperative with significant ESL and fluid milk production across multiple plants, serving both proprietary and private label brands. Comparable as a multi-region dairy manufacturer serving private label customers.
• Darigold: Large dairy cooperative producing fluid milk, ESL milk, cream, and dairy ingredients for retail and foodservice private label customers. Comparable as a multi-plant dairy co-packer with ESL capabilities.
• HP Hood: Privately held dairy processor with ESL capabilities producing branded and private label milk, creamers, and plant-based beverages. Comparable given its B2B private label focus and ESL technology base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ninth-avenue-foods

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NINTH AVENUE FOODS