My Year Without Spending: Organic Milk

November 11, 2009

Organic Milk

I should probably have a segment on this blog called "Ask my readers" because every time I ask, I get such great advice from you all!

Lately I've been thinking about organic milk. We buy roughly 1/2 gallon a week for the two of us, and I pay $3.29 for the Trader Joe's brand. I'm willing to pay that price, but I've heard so much about the plight of the dairy farmers that I'd like to find out how I can help them, or maybe get the milk more directly. I've even read on a few blogs, though I don't remember where, about picking up your own fresh organic milk directly from the dairy farm.

So here's my question: do you buy organic milk in a way that gets more of the money to the dairy farmers? And can anyone tell me how to find out more about it? Please leave your thoughts in a Comment. And thanks so much! Usually when I'm thinking about something like this, so are a lot of other people.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Contact your state's dairy association for specifics about organic dairies in your area. You can also google for example 'organic daires in Idaho' and maybe find a dairy with retail outlets that suits your needs.

I found a dairy within an hour's drive that has retail outlets within 15 min.; November 11, 2009
Catherine said...: At my Trader Joe's in NJ, instead of dairy, I buy the Pacific Natural Foods organic almond beverage ($1.69 for a 32-oz. container) for my morning cereal and baking needs, and use the Trader Joe's brand soy creamer ($1.49 a pint) made from organic soy milk for coffee/tea and thickening homemade soups. I love their vegan list: http://www.traderjoes.com/Attachments/Vegan.pdf

I would rather give my money to support plant-based farmers, and don't know how natural it is we drink the milk of another species.

I like the quote by Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivores Dilemma and In Defense of Food, "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."

I love that you are thinking about the plight of local farmers.

The Eat Well Guide links you to everything from farmers, restaurants, B&Bs and more.

http://www.eatwellguide.org/

Local Harvest is also worth checking out for farmers of all kinds.
http://www.localharvest.org/

Good luck!
Catherine; November 11, 2009
AnnMarie said...: Look for any local dairy. Due to the high cost or organic here we looked at other options and found a local dairy that practices many organic things just isn't certified. They've been on te land for generations so truly care about it's future. And we can go visit too. It's sold in a local grocery store as well.; November 12, 2009
Angela said...: Thanks for your advice everyone! I started searching those links and googling and am looking forward to a field trip to a local dairy that apparently sells milk made in heaven, based on the reviews. The bonus is that it's sold in a cute glass bottle that you turn back in. I'll let you know the results... Oh, and I'll be picking up a 1/2 gal of choc milk and egg nog too!; November 12, 2009
Mrs. Scrimp said...: At Whole Foods in Cleveland, we get a half-gallon a week of organic, local, sustainably-farmed, low-heat pasteurized and non-homogenized milk from a dairy in Columbus. They had a guy in Whole Foods offering samples a bit ago who actually worked for the dairy itself.

Because the milk isn't ultra-pasteurized, it has about 1/3 the shelf life of other milk, even organic milk that is ultra-pasteurized, so it can only be sold within about a 200 mile radius of the dairy and is on the shelves within 72 hours of coming out of the cows. It's also MUCH more delicious.; November 14, 2009
Anonymous said...: Go to http://www.realmilk.com.

They list farmers in each state who sell raw (unpasteurized) milk directly from their farms. I get three gallons a week from a small farmer who has three cows. He rotates through 1/2 gallon glass mason jars. His customers bring back the empties each week and exchange them.

-Beth in MO; November 14, 2009