SANBORN, N.Y. (WKBW) — Hoover's Dairy in Sanborn, NY is the last milkman service in Western New York. The company was started in 1920, by Edwin Hoover, and has served a large portion of Niagara County during the last 100 years.
It is seeing a big surge in new customers as people are home-bound during the coronavirus covid-19 national health emergency.
"It makes me feel good that we are still able to do it," said Bob Hoover. The 72-year-old was out making deliveries with his 20-year-old grandson, Robbie. "It's been sort of crazy and a little stressful with all the customers picking up a lot," added Robbie Hoover.
The dairy told 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly that it is still able to take new customers for home delivery. People should call (716) 731-3822 to enroll.
While it is great to be needed, Robert Hoover II said it is unfortunate that it involves the covid-19 crisis. "You hate to see this problem happen, and I hope we don't see this again."
Hoover's has expanded its product line over the years and now delivers a wide variety of food items besides milk, chocolate milk, and strawberry milk. "They don't have to worry about going to the store or being out of milk," explained Robert Hoover.
In order to keep customers and workers safe, the dairy will drop off the ordered products in a milk box, garage, or other containers - to minimize individuals coming in contact with each other.
Hoover's does home delivery in most of Niagara County including Wheatfield, Lewiston, Cambria, Newfane, Pendleton, and Town of Niagara.
The 100-year-old dairy still uses glass bottles. During this time of high-demand, it is reminding customers to please return the empties.
Will it be able to keep up with demand? "I think so," said Robert Hoover.
The neighborhood milkman was a fixture across American for much of the 20th Century.
Robert Hoover said the pandemic has some dairy farms in New England thinking about re-starting home delivery service. Hoover said he was not aware of any others locally who were considering doing the same thing.
