The Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska (OSM) in Bolesławiec, on Jeleniogórska Street, was probably established in 1980. This date is given in the National Court Register under the entry concerning the preparation or amendment of the cooperative’s statutes. However, the dairy itself may have been there earlier; perhaps our readers know the dates. Apparently, there had previously been a ceramics plant on the site, which, according to internet users, may have burned down in the 1960s.
In the 1990s, the dairy’s activities were mentioned in the local press only on the occasion of sponsoring major city initiatives, such as the Ceramic and Sculpture Open-Air Workshop, Blues nad Bobrem, and WOŚP. This proves that the cooperative was an important point on the city map, and that its management contributed to Bolesławiec’s development.
In 1997, OSM introduced Bolesławiec yogurts to the local market. The yogurts were praised by residents of Bolesławiec, at least by those caught on camera by Telewizja Bolesławiec.
The price of the product introduced to the market, containing a strain of bacteria imported from France, was certainly noteworthy. In 1997, a 400-gram cup of Bolesławiec bio-yogurt cost 75 groszy. The yogurts came in six flavors: raspberry, strawberry, peach, pear, apple, and forest fruits.
At the beginning of the 21st century, OSM became part of Rolnicza Spółdzielnia Mleczarska Rolmlecz from Radom. The decision for Rolmlecz to take over the Bolesławiec plant was a consequence of problems obtaining milk, which the company faced, as did many other small enterprises of this type in Lower Silesia. Poor financial results and the inability to finance necessary investments, required, among other things, in connection with EU standards, compounded the problem. A stronger partner was essential. Rolmlecz had an extensive distribution network and a larger number of plants, which, at least at that time, provided stability in milk supplies and more effective sales.
The takeover of the dairy was not without unrest and staff protests, as employees approached the change in ownership of the Bolesławiec company with considerable caution. They feared that the work would become harder and the pay lower. The new accounting and sales system caused them tremendous dissatisfaction.
Rolmlecz, however, was unable to shoulder the task of keeping the dairy in our city operating. The company went bankrupt. Markets and inexpensive discount stores opened in Bolesławiec, offering competitively priced products, and fewer and fewer people bought the local product. Photographs from 2009 already show an empty lot on Jeleniogórska Street. In 2016, a shopping center was built on the site; it still operates today under the name Stara Mleczarnia.
