Yesterday’s Milk Coup

After deciding yesterday that Whole Foods 365 organic milk was the best milk I could buy retail in Phoenix, I emailed Whole Foods for a little more information.  Here’s what they said:

Hi Kristen,

Thanks for contacting Whole Foods Market. Our 365 Organic Everyday Value Milks and 365 Everyday Value Organic Butters are produced by the nation’s largest cooperative of organic family farmers, which promotes regional farm diversity and economic stability.  The co-op’s farmers are dedicated to humane animal practices such as pasturing and allowing animals to express their natural behaviors. The National Organic Standards require that cows have access to pasture for a minimum of 120 days of the year. Our supplier’s cooperative’s pasture standards also say that livestock must have access to graze “during the months of the year when pasture provides edible forage,” which means that if a farmer lives in a region with a longer growing season, they are expected to optimize the use of their pasture and graze their cows longer.  In addition to fresh pasture during the growing season, our cows are supplemented with flax, kelp, and some organic grains and nutrients as needed.  In winter months when cows are off fresh pasture due to weather conditions they are fed organic forage (hay/alfalfa) plus the other items mentioned above.

If you have any further questions please use our on-line response form.

Best regards,

Carijane Grigsby-Etter

Global Customer Information Specialist | Whole Foods Market | 550 Bowie Street | Austin, Texas 78703

Good enough for me.  I’ll get some as soon as we use up all the fallen Organic Valley in the fridge.

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