Organic Valley Adds 17 New Grassmilk Milk Farmers In Northeast

Organic Valley, America's largest cooperative of organic farmers, has welcomed 17 new Grassmilk milk farmers in the Northeast to increase production of its Organic Valley Grassmilk milk products. The farmer-owned Cooperative now has a total of 81 Grassmilk milk farms producing Organic Valley Grassmilk milk products, including Grassmilk milk, Grassmilk Cheese and Grassmilk Yogurt.  Additional Grassmilk milk products are currently in development, and more Grassmilk milk farmers are expected to join the cooperative next year. 

The new Organic Valley Grassmilk milk farmers hail from New York and Pennsylvania and are connected with a new milk route winding between the states from Canastota, N.Y. to Gillet, Pa. It is then transported to Mountainside Farms in Roxbury, N.Y., where it is packaged. With Organic Valley's regional model, milk is produced, bottled and distributed right in the region where it is farmed to ensure fewer miles from farm to table and to support local economies. 

New York and Pennsylvania have long been important member states for Organic Valley. Today, Organic Valley has 158 farmer-owners in New York and 205 in Pennsylvania who produce organic milk and dairy products, including Grassmilk milk, eggs, produce, beef and feed. 

While all Organic Valley milk is sourced from pasture-raised cows grazing in lush pastures and exceeding USDA pasture policy for organic ruminants, Organic Valley Grassmilk milk takes it one step further. The cows are 100 percent grass-fed and eat only fresh grasses and dried forages, like hay. They do not eat supplemental grains, like corn or soybeans.

Organic Valley has a long history of commitment to grass-fed dairy. In 2011, Organic Valley was the first national brand to launch a100 percent grass-fed milk nationwide and trademarked the Grassmilk term. In 2012, Organic Valley began producing Organic Valley Grassmilk milk in northern California's Humboldt County. In 2013, Organic Valley expanded production to Wisconsin and increased distribution to national.  

Unlike grazing in the Humboldt County's temperate climate, producing Grassmilk milk in the Heartland required comprehensive agricultural study to replicate best practices. Organic Valley adapted the program to Midwest farmers and brought Organic Valley professional staff, including veterinarians and soil agronomists, to extensively study the farms and provide support to farmers concerning herd health, nutritional quality and soil health. 

In 2015, Organic Valley launched Organic Valley Grassmilk Yogurt in plain and vanilla flavors. The yogurt is made from whole Organic Valley Grassmilk milk and cultured in small batches and cup-set for artisanal quality. Like all Organic Valley products, Grassmilk Yogurt carries the USDA Organic seal, and is produced without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides or GMOs.

Consumer demand for grass-fed dairy products has warranted the expanded production and development of product lines.  Consumer demand for organic, grass-fed yogurt is exploding. The category is experiencing 82 percent dollar growth, more than three times the growth of yogurt without the "grass-fed" claim. Sales for Organic Valley Grassmilk milk is growing at double digits in all channels.  

While consumers have eagerly embraced 100 percent grass-fed products, currently no unified standard defines the claim. Any farm or brand can apply a grass-fed claim to its packaging and its marketing, regardless of whether the cows ever see a pasture. Organic Valley recognized the need for a collaborative group of 100 percent grass-fed producers to agree on standards. In spring 2015, Organic Valley hired Mark Lipson, former USDA organic policy advisor and current research associate at the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, University of California, Santa Cruz, as a consultant. Lipson was tapped to convene and facilitate a team of stakeholders led by the American Grassfed Association (AGA) that includes Organic Valley, organic certifiers, producers, manufacturers, retailers and farmers. The objective of the group is to recommend a common industry standard for 100 percent grass-fed dairy products. The result of this collaborative process should protect and benefit farmer and consumer alike and maintain integrity of grass-fed dairy product claims.