Milk in Glass Bottles Actually Makes Me WANT to Drink Milk

I’ve been on an ‘local’ kick for awhile now and anticipate even more exciting options as we move away from the Washington, DC area (again, more on that later!).  One local food trend that I find both exciting, delicious, and a welcome throwback to years ago is the increasing support for local dairy products, specifically local milk in glass bottles.

There are a multitude of reasons that I support local dairy, including milk:  the cows’ well-being (and subsequently OUR well-being), the local farmer’s commitment to quality products, the re-usable glass bottles, and as always, the connection to one’s community.

According to Weston Price, an average commercial dairy cow is kept in confinement, hooked up to milking machines for 10 months out of the year.  This dairy cow is fed mostly grain and other unnatural feeds (livestock wastes and fats, etc).  Due to the tight living quarters and vast amounts of waste present, these cows must be pumped full of antibiotics and hormones, including bovine growth hormones.  These drugs can end up in our milk (as can trans fats from undigested animal foods!)  Much has already been written (and written quite eloquently) about the plight of the factory farm animal.  I know for a fact that ten times out of ten, I need to know that the dairy I am consuming is from a cow that spends its life pastured, grazing on grass and having a stress free existence.

Most recently, there has been a federal investigation into whether the milk processing ‘heavy weights’ (Dean Foods and Dairy Farmers of America (18,000 members in 48 states)) have been shortchanging dairy farmers.  These dairy farmers who operate under the umbrella of massive corporations like Dean Foods and DFA are fighting to retain their livelihood.  The current lawsuit claims that Dean and DFA have ‘seized control of the region’s dairy industry and are forcing farmers to join DFA or its marketing affiliate, Dairy Marketing Services, to survive.”

These dairy farmers deserve to be paid fair salaries for their milk.  Striking out on their own is clearly not an appealing option (nor should they have to feel like they have to).  I do want to support the dairy farmers who are running their own operations:  the more successful and vital these local dairy farmers become, the higher the chance that their success stories inspire other farmers to do the same.

Local Milk options in DC metro region include:
Trickling Springs Creamery:  available at Aroma Bakery and Market and Timor Bodega
Homestead Creamery:  available at local Whole Foods
South Mountain Creamery:  available for home delivery (once a week)
Clear Springs Creamery:  available at the Dupont and Takoma Park Farmers’ Markets

There are local businesses that serve local milk, including Open City (Kreider Farm) and Pitango Gelato (Spring Wood Organic Farm).

As we anticipate our future move to Brooklyn and struggle to contain our excitement over all of the local food options in New York City, there are many local dairy options that I’d like to check out:
Manhattan Milk Company
Evans Farmhouse Creamery
Ronnybrook Farm Dairy
Milk Thistle Farm

Use this map to find a ‘milkman’ near you!