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This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
Consumers who purchased butter or cheese from a National Milk Producers Federation Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) program member may be eligible for compensation from a $220 million class action settlement.
Consumers who are eligible to benefit from this settlement are divided into a Butter Subclass and a Cheese Subclass.
The Butter Subclass is made up of any person or entity in the United States who purchased butter directly from a CWT member or its subsidiaries between Dec. 6, 2008, and July 31, 2013, and who did not opt out of the Class.
The Cheese Subclass is made up of any person or entity in the United States who purchased cheese directly from a CWT member or its subsidiaries between Dec. 6, 2008, and July 31, 2013, and who did not opt out of the Class.
The settlement resolves claims that the defendants — the National Milk Producers Federation, Agri-Mark Inc., Dairy Farmers of America Inc., and Land O’Lakes Inc. — attempted to limit the production of raw farm milk in order to reduce the number of dairy farmers in the market and generate short- and long-term butter and cheese price increases.
A list of all the CWT members is available on the settlement site FAQ page.
Some of the covered products also were sold to individual consumers at CWT co-op stores. A list of those stores is available here.
The $220 million settlement fund will provide payouts to Class Members, with 63 percent allocated for the Cheese Subclass and 37 percent for the Butter Subclass, after attorneys’ fees and other costs are paid.
Without providing proof of purchase, Class Members are eligible for a payout of up to $5.
The defendants have not been found guilty in court, and they deny all allegations put forth in the class action lawsuit.
The deadlines to object to or opt out of the settlement have passed.
Claim forms have been mailed to Class Members. Alternatively, an online form is available.
Anyone wishing to submit a claim form must do so by April 23, 2021.
Who’s Eligible
Consumers who are eligible to benefit from this settlement are divided into two subclasses:
- The Butter Subclass is made up of any person or entity in the United States who purchased butter directly from a CWT member or its subsidiaries between Dec. 6, 2008, and July 31, 2013, and who did not opt out of the Class.
- The Cheese Subclass is made up of any person or entity in the United States who purchased cheese directly from a CWT member or its subsidiaries between Dec. 6, 2008, and July 31, 2013, and who did not opt out of the Class.
Potential Award
Varies
- Without providing proof of purchase, Class Members are eligible for a payout of up to $5.
- Class Members also are able to file a claim with proof of purchase.
Proof of Purchase
Proof of purchase includes:
- Receipts
- Invoices
- Purchase journals
- Accounts payable journals
- Bank statements in addition to a receipt
The supporting documentation must show:
- Date of purchase
- Name, address, and telephone number of the facility that made the purchase
- Dollar amount purchased
- Proof of payment, including the amount paid for purchase and the date and manner of payment
- Product description
- Quantity purchased
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
04/23/2021
Case Name
First Impressions Salon Inc., et al. v. National Milk Producers Federation, et al., Case No. 3:13-CV-00454-NJR-GCS in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
Final Hearing
04/27/2020
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Butter and Cheese Class Action
P.O. Box 4290
Portland, OR 97208-4290
1-855-804-8574
info@ButterandCheeseClassAction.com
Call center hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific, Monday through Friday (except holidays)
Class Counsel
Don Barrett
BARRETT LAW GROUP
Dianne M. Nast
NASTLAW LLC
Michael L. Roberts
ROBERTS LAW FIRM PA
Defense Counsel
Jonathan B. Sallet
STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP
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74 thoughts onButter and Cheese National Milk Producers Federation $220M Class Action Settlement
You’d think they’d save paper, time and money by sending out digital payments for $5 instead of checks but oh well