Nedd Brockmann's Chocolate Milk Brand Shuts Down Months After 'Young Australian of the Year' Honor

Ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann, 27, has announced the closure of his chocolate milk side business, Nedd's Milk, just 12 weeks after receiving the Young Australian of the Year award. The brand, launched in October 2023 with the aim of sharing Brockmann's passion for chocolate milk and raising funds for the homelessness charity We Are Mobilise, ceased operations less than two years after its inception.

Brockmann shared the news on Instagram, admitting that the business was "tools down." He explained that despite maintaining an optimistic outlook, the path to success in the dairy industry had become increasingly difficult. "Small business in Australia is tough, and the dairy industry is cutthroat," he wrote in his post.

He highlighted the disadvantages faced by new dairy brands that do not own their own cows or production facilities. "You've got multi-million dollar companies flooding shelves with product, backed by massive budgets for discounting and advertising," Brockmann stated, acknowledging that while it might have been a difficult choice, he doesn't regret trying. "Maybe that was a dumb choice, but you never know if you don't have a crack. Lifelong business lessons."

Nedd's Milk was distributed in major Australian supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles, as well as IGA stores, petrol stations, and independent grocers. Brockmann expressed pride in his achievements and commended his competitors. He urged the public to continue supporting dairy farmers and purchasing milk.

The announcement on Instagram was met with supportive comments from notable figures, including comedian Hamish Blake, athlete Harry Garside, and rugby league player Thomas Burgess. Blake humorously referenced Shakespeare, stating, "As Shakespeare said, 'Better to have started a delicious and socially impactful milk brand and lost, than to never have started a delicious and socially impactful milk brand at all.'"

Brockmann gained national recognition in 2022 for running 3,900 kilometers from Perth to Sydney in 46 days, raising approximately $2 million for We Are Mobilise. He was inspired to support the homelessness charity after observing the prevalence of street homelessness upon moving to Sydney. In January 2024, he was honored as Young Australian of the Year for his charitable efforts and contributions.

Brockmann continued his fundraising endeavors in 2024 with a 1600-kilometer run around Sydney Olympic Park's athletics track, completing 3,760 laps over 12 days. This challenge raised over $4 million for the charity, which was designated to fund 370 years of safe housing for individuals in need.