Are milkman still a thing?

Author: Tod Feil DVM  |  Last update: Friday, January 16, 2026

Right now, home milk delivery is making a slow but steady comeback. We are undergoing what a New York Times reporter called “a milkman renaissance.” However, there are a few differences since those days. Today's milk delivery trucks can travel longer distances than the carts of the past.

Can you still be a milkman?

In California, there's no shortage of options for those looking to get involved in farm fresh milk delivery. Rockview Farms is located in Southern California. They deliver milk to over 4,800 customers in Los Angeles and Orange County alone. Their total customer delivery base in the Southland totals over 7,000 homes.

Why is there no milkman anymore?

The rise of refrigerators in the home and in stores made it easy to ship milk from farms to the stores quickly and without spoiling . Therefore, there was no need to deliver milk that could only be preserved in an icebox. This led to demise of the milk delivery and the deliveryman.

When did there stop being milkmen?

Home milk delivery was common in many countries until the second half of the 20th century, when modern supermarkets and household refrigeration made it possible for consumers to buy and store milk on demand. Today, milk delivery still exists as a niche market in some countries.

Why did they get rid of the milkman?

Both of these combined forced a lot of local milk distributors to shut up shop. Finally it's the cost, the cost of running and operating a business has gone up, the cost of milk has gone up, but the supermarkets because of their dominance were able to undercut everyone else, so people just stopped using the milkman.

Ancient mysteries explained: What happened to the milkman?

Does the milkman job still exist?

Milk home delivery still exists in Los Angeles. One of the hardest parts of Wes Miller's job is convincing people that he exists: He's a milkman. "The reaction is always the same," Miller said.

What happened to all the milkmen?

Grocery stores made it easier for people to buy everything they needed all in one place. There was no longer a need for home milk delivery because they could pick it up while doing the rest of their groceries. Additionally, after World War II more people had their own cars.

Why do milkmen wear white?

Animal agriculture is the start of the food process and white represents sterility. It also provides a clean uniform appearance that gives all the kids an impartial look that does not distract from judging the animal. Wearing white in the dairy show ring is a tradition and the way it has always been done.

How much did milkmen make?

As of Jan 23, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Milkman in the United States is $16.85 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $20.19 and as low as $11.06, the majority of Milkman wages currently range between $15.38 (25th percentile) to $18.27 (75th percentile) across the United States.

When were the dead milkmen popular?

The band distinguished itself in the hardcore punk scene of the early 1980s through its jangly punk sound and sardonic humor delivered with thick Philadelphia accents. They attracted college radio attention with their 1985 debut album, Big Lizard in My Backyard, and the song "Bitchin' Camaro".

How do you stop modern milkman?

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How did they keep milk cold in the 1800s?

This ice would be hauled into ice houses, huge storage sheds where massive amounts of ice could be stored all year round. The ice would be delivered to businesses and homes, who needed fresh supplies every few days to keep fish, meat, and dairy products from spoiling.

What was the point of a milkman?

The perishable nature of milk and the lack of refrigeration in homes at this time meant that milk deliveries occurred on a daily basis since it was the safest and most cost-effective way to get people milk and other perishables. The milkman became a regular visitor to peoples' homes, much like the mailman.

Who runs the modern milkman?

Some may see this as a sign of the times. But not Simon Mellin, boss of one of Europe's fastest growing start-ups, who is on a mission to bring them back. Mellin, 38, founded The Modern Milkman in Lancashire six years ago after watching an episode of Sir David Attenborough's BBC series Blue Planet.

Are milkmen coming back?

The answer, believe it or not, is YES! Our partners are saving on packaging costs, building brand loyalty, and cutting down on plastic waste and carbon emissions by bringing back the Milkman Model. Want to implement a Milkman Model for your business?

What is the female of milkman called?

milkwoman or milkmaid is the feminine gender or milkman.

Do milkmen still exist in the US?

But the milkman (and woman) is now making a comeback in America, as companies that deliver milk right to your door have experienced a resurgence during the pandemic.

What was a good salary in 1950?

The census found that the median annual income in 1950 was $3,000 (about $35,400 today).

Is being a milkman hard?

Hard work but fair pay

It is a job for those who love nights and would suit with single persons or those who don't have other commitments as this is a 6 nights a week job (technically 7 days a week). You get a good route and learn it fast...the job is fin but challenging.

When did milk delivery stop in the USA?

Home milk delivery began to wane and completely stopped in 1990. Or so we thought. It was a pleasant surprise to see a milk delivery truck driving down 534 in Albrightsville. An all-white truck with a “Cow Belle” logo.

Why did milkman stop?

The advent of the supermarket—and the contemporaneous and steady rise in car ownership, which made it easier for folks to get to the store—further eliminated the need for the milkman's services.

Why does milkman add baking soda to milk?

A milkman adds a small amount of baking soda to fresh milk to prevent acidification of milk. By adding a small amount of baking soda, the milkman shifts the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline so that he can keep it for a longer time as the milk in alkaline condition, does not set curd easily.

Can you still get a milkman?

McQueens Dairies is fully committed to keeping the traditional local milkman service alive, and we work hard to ensure milkmen don't become a thing of the past.

What happens to milkman?

But even as Pilate's body lies still on the ground, Milkman himself takes flight. Having learned the story of his heritage he is now fully alive.

When was the last time there was a milkman?

By the '90s, the number of milk deliveries dropped to less than 1%. Truly contemporary times meant, at least in the 20th century, that the era of the milkman had come to an end.

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