September 28, 2010 by Debra.

As previously noted, the CROPP Cooperative — with products sold under the names Organic Valley and Organic Prairie — has voted to prohibit any of their members from selling raw milk as a side business. This policy is set to take effect January 1, 2011.

The Weston A. Price Foundation (WAP) has been working behind the scenes to change this policy, and has issued an information update. As it stands, the new policy will force producers to choose between remaining a CROPP member or selling raw milk exclusively. In addition to limiting consumer access to raw milk, many feel this choice puts already beleaguered dairy farmers in even greater financial peril.

WAP reports that at the latest CROPP board meeting, board members voted 7–0:

…that raw milk sales by their producers must not exceed 1 percent of their volume, and must be limited to family, friends and neighbors. While some board members have insisted that this anti-raw milk policy will not be enforced, we hear from others in the organization that OV [Organic Valley] is planning to strenuously enforce the policy.

 

In any event, for the average OV farmer, 1 percent is probably about three to six gallons per day, so the updated policy merely puts a gloss on the original anti-raw milk stance.  The new policy will mean that thousands of consumers who need raw milk for their own and their children’s health will no longer be able to obtain it.

 

Ironically, the $12 billion dairy industry giant, Dean Foods, which owns the Horizon Organic label, the largest conventional and organic dairy producer in the United States, has specifically stated that its farmers are free to sell or provide raw milk on the side.  Dean Foods/Horizon the good guys and Organic Valley hurting family farmers—this picture seems upside down.

 

The information update continues:  

Just as in the case of buying from factory farms, we hope CROPP farmer leadership will come to their senses and rescind their destructive anti-raw milk policy.

 

The unfortunate decision by the CROPP board should galvanize all of us to renew our efforts to purchase as much of our food as possible directly from local farmers…

 

If the farm family you get your raw milk from faces the dilemma of choosing between CROPP and direct raw milk sales, please express your support for them and do everything you can to help them choose the latter. You can help them build their customer base, reduce their expenses by offering help on the farm, and even provide the funding and financial advice they may desperately need to make the transition. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund can help assist with advice and model cow-share and herd-share agreements.

 

If you feel betrayed by a cooperative that you had always considered to be an ally, you can also visit their website, www.organicvalley.coop, and let them know how you feel. Maybe if they hear from enough of us, they will realize the damage they are doing to their brands reputation. Please consider forwarding this message to your friends and family members who might also want to convey their feelings to Organic Valley management.

 

Above all, let’s all make the pledge to vote with our pocketbooks in support of small farmers and artisan producers instead of large commercial dairy interests that put their profits before the interests of the hard-working farmers who produce their milk and other commodities.

To read entire WAP update >

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September 28, 2010 by Debra.

Good news for fans of Maine’s Own Organic Milk — MOOMilk is again in full production, with the entire line back on store shelves. After announcing several weeks ago that a lack of funding would force the company to suspend operations, subsequent support from both individuals and foundations enabled them to sell their products to two Maine food banks. This provided the necessary cash flow to recover while also making organic milk accessible to more families.

Also, MOOMilk has updated their list of retail outlets to include those served by distributor Crown O’Maine. MOOMilk can now be found in 195 locations in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. For more information and to find the store nearest you, please visit their website >

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September 28, 2010 by Debra.

As reported previously, chefs from the Seacoast  were among those visiting the White House this summer to help launch the campaign, “Chefs Move to Schools”. Local chef Kathy Gunst took the challege and is bringing the campaign to Central School in South Berwick. Be on the lookout for more innovative programs to come as “Chefs Move to Schools” continues to grow on the Seacoast!

Fresh future for Central School lunch

 

As part of a larger plan to bring education outdoors, local author and chef Kathy Gunst has adopted Central School as part of Michelle Obama’s “Chefs Move to Schools” campaign.

 

After visiting the White House in July with 1,000 other chefs from around the country, Gunst has responded to the first lady’s challenge to “go home and adopt a school” with a plan to grow vegetables in a school-owned hoop house.

 

“I immediately thought of (Principal) Vicki (Stewart), and Central School,” said Gunst, who lives in South Berwick and has two grown daughters who attended the school.

 

While the initial start-up may be slow, Gunst hopes to someday grow enough food so that the cafeteria will serve the students their own fresh vegetables on a salad bar.

 

“Then it wouldn’t be about ordering food for the year in May, and having things sit in a freezer,” Gunst said. “The cafeteria does a really good job, and they work really hard. But I think everyone would agree it could be better.”

 

A few months ago, when Gunst first made her vision known to Stewart and other members of the community, she learned of a local farm willing to part with one of their hoop houses. She expects Central School to own it within a month.

 

In the meantime, Gunst is leading writing exercises and cooking classes for first-, second- and third-graders in early October.

 

“I want the kids to try things they really think they hate,” Gunst said. “I want to introduce them to things they’ve never tasted before, like kale, turnips and rutabagas. These are things we’ll have success growing in the winter season.”

 

Many people have come forward to help with the project. Gregg Harrington and Garen Heller of Riverside Farm are consulting on the project, helping Gunst and others understand the process of growing food.

 

In addition, Gunst has gathered other farmers, landscape architects, high school students, parents and school board members who share her vision.

 

She admits cost is an issue, but with so many people helping, and several funding opportunities in the works, Gunst refuses to be discouraged.

 

“Money is a huge issue,” she said, not knowing the actual cost of the project. “But I’m trying not to let it be a stumbling block.”

 

In addition to making a tax-deductible contribution to the Central School PTO, community members wishing to help may donate their time or materials to the project. A wish list of hoop house materials has been posted on the project’s Web site at www.cesgarden.blogspot.com.

 

In addition to the hoop house and cooking classes, Gunst plans to integrate lessons in writing into her classroom teachings, and encourages Central School teachers to incorporate art, science, math and more by using the hoop house as a venue.

For article at Seacoastonline.com >

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