All it took was a single taste of
Trickling Springs Creamery's premium ice cream to convince Dan Crump he had to leave his job at FedEx and follow his passion of supporting local farms and healthy organic eating.
Shortly thereafter, he purchased the Lancaster County-based organic dairy delivery service known as
Mr. Milkman.
At the time, Mr. Milkman had a limited delivery area and only a few customers -- it was really more of a hobby than a business for its previous owner.
"I knew it would mean a pay cut," recalls Crump. "But I also knew I could use my FedEx [logistics] knowledge to make [the business] work."
Almost immediately after purchasing Mr. Milkman, Crump began to wonder whether or not he should expand services to Philadelphia. Without an advertising budget or established customer base, he figured the costs would be prohibitive. Fortunately, a fruitful visit to
Reading Terminal Market convinced Crump to add Philadelphia-area delivery services a few months back.
Now, thanks to the airing of a spotlight piece on
Lancaster County’s WGAL last week, Mr. Milkman’s business in Philadelphia has taken off.
Due to the spike in orders, the company has added new Philly-area routes. It delivers each Saturday, and is poised to continue its growth with a hiring push. Crump is also working with a gluten-free bakery and will be offering fruit and veggie boxes this spring.
In addition to
Trickling Springs Creamery dairy products,
Danda Farms organic meats, artisan cheeses, raw honey and a number of
other organic goodies, Mr. Milkman also delivers raw milk from Swiss Villa.
"We’re dedicated to supporting our local organic farmers and their workers," says Crump, "while ensuring that busy moms, families, and other [Philadelphia] residents have access to healthy food."
Writer: Dan Eldridge
Source: Dan Crump, Mr. Milkman