Organic milk ratings site...

[mama2James]

My husband uses half and half in his coffee everyday, so I decided we'd try an organic brand. My supermarket only carries one, so I picked it up. It was Organic Cow brand. This morning I checked out the brand on the Cornucopia website, they are a watchdog organization of sorts that investigates and rates organic dairy companies. I was really disappointed to to learn that Organic Cow has their lowest rating. They refused to even participate in the study and there is evidence that they use factory style milking facilities, sell off their calves and replace them with conventional ones that have been fed blood based milk replacer. This is doing the bare minimum to be certified, NOT what I am paying for when I buy organic! I think I will stick with a local conventional brand for now, until I can find a reputable organic source.
Check out this site if you want to find out how your organic dairy brand rates!
The Cornucopia Institute

[IntlMom]

this site rocks!!!

thanks~I didn't know about this before.

[cheles2kids]

this site rocks!!!

I see that some of the brands that I've been buying have a 1 cow rating...unfortunately for me most of the 5 cow ratings aren't even available to me locally, darn it.

But all the same, thanks for the link to the site, it really is awesome!!!!

[andrew's mom]

Yeay, I buy when I can and it available, Organic Valley and Stonyfield which are both highly rated (4 and 5). That makes me feel good about buying the product and the happy cows.....

[mama2James]

I'm glad the site was useful to you all!

[gottadance]

I've been buying the Safeway brand - no rating, I figure, at least it's organic even if it is factory farm. But, I just found a local dairy, Oberweis, that sells organic that's from midwest cows. The Safeway brand is from California - I'm in IL - that's a long way to ship.

[frugalfranny]

Thanks m2j..........great website.

Some interesting reading too. I have been making butter and after reading about the 'chemicals' that was in regular whipping cream.......just for looks/stabilization.......I bought organic. It wasn't rated too great.

[mama2James]

I definitely think that organic is better than conventional in most cases, even if it isn't rated or doesn't have a top rating. At least you're showing the "powers that be" that you want organic and avoiding pesticides and growth hormones. The site is great for choosing between the brands that you have available to you though. I decided not to buy the brand of half and half that i researched because they wouldn't participate in the study and there is evidence of shady practices overall.

[morrisjlm3]

For me it's all about raw milk. I'm lactose intolerant but am not intolerant to completely raw milk.. It's a shame the FDA spreads so much propaganda about raw milk. All of the contamination problems and milk scares come from pasteurized milk. Here's an interesting article on the "raw milk controversy"

[OrganicJesse]

I think someone else posted it, but Stoneyfield dairy products is the way to go. I buy their stuff every time I'm at the store. Good eats!