RI Dairy Delivery Business Lost $140K in Blizzard of '26

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Munroe Dairy, a longtime dairy delivery business in East Providence, Rhode Island, says it lost $140,000 after being unable to make deliveries for two days during the Blizzard of '26, which brought record snowfall to the state. The company's sales manager said this isn't the first time a winter storm has caused significant losses, with the Blizzard of '78 being even more devastating.

Why it matters

The story highlights the significant financial impact that extreme weather events can have on small, local businesses that rely on consistent operations and delivery schedules. Munroe Dairy's experience underscores the challenges that companies in the Northeast face in adapting to increasingly severe winter storms.

The details

Munroe Dairy, which has been in business since 1881, delivers fresh milk to customers across Rhode Island. The late February blizzard brought about three feet of snow to the state, breaking records previously set by the Blizzard of '78. Armin Maroto, the company's sales manager, said he monitored forecasts leading up to the storm but the two-day delivery disruption resulted in the $140,000 loss. Once Munroe Dairy's trucks were back on the road, the message to drivers was to only make deliveries if it was safe to do so.

• The Blizzard of '26 hit Rhode Island in late February 2026.
• Munroe Dairy was unable to make deliveries for two days during the storm.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Munroe Dairy will need to assess the long-term impacts of the Blizzard of '26 on its operations and finances, and determine how to best adapt its business model to be more resilient to future extreme weather events.