The Middletons milk ice blocks are back.
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The sale of the ice blocks the people of Orange have enjoyed for more than 70 years resumed on Saturday, after difficulties sourcing the treat's key ingredient forced a halt to production.
A shortage of milk powder in Australia, following widespread problems in the dairy industry, meant business owners Dick and Marie Middleton had to stop making milk ice blocks in 2017.
But the Middletons' ongoing pursuit to get the favoured blocks back in stores meant a Sydney distributor will now get the powdered milk to Orange, through Murray Goulburn's suppliers.
Mrs Middleton said while the cost of the powdered milk is "a little bit dearer this time" they decided it's worth it after the response from residents missing the milk ice blocks.
"We knew there'd be an outcry but didn't realise it would be as big as it was, and last as long as it did - that's why we were quite determined," she said.
The favoured milk ice blocks have been requested for weddings, interstate birthday parties and freezers of Orange corner stores and schools for decades, as have their water ice blocks.
The Middletons said for the last 18 months people were happy to switch to the seven ice varieties in the absence of the milk options, so their bottom line didn't suffer too much.
"It's just that people missed the milk ice blocks," she said.
"We talk to so many people who remember getting these ice blocks when they were only a tuppence - when they come in now they remember their grandparents who used to have them in the freezer."
With the first supply of Middletons milk ice blocks back in corner stores on Monday, Mrs Middleton said those who favour the flavour can rest assure they're here to stay.
"We wouldn't have started again if we couldn't keep production going," she said.
"The fans were let down once, you wouldn't dare want to do that again."
The Middletons have two freezers full of milk ice blocks at their Hill Street factory, and several stores, including Jack's Friendly Grocer, Gardiner Road Mini Market and both Ashcroft IGAs, will be stocked on Monday morning.
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