What type of cows produce Snowville Creamery milk?
All kinds, as long as it's A2/A2! Our farmers' herds are made up of a genetically diverse blend of breeds, ranging from Holstein to Jersey.
Do the cows receive antibiotics?
All Grade A milk must test negative for antibiotics before going to market as required by law. In the instance that a cow is sick and advised by a veterinarian to be treated with antibiotics, she is tagged and her milk is taken separately and discarded. The milk from a cow that has been treated with antibiotics must test negative before entering the milk tank.
​
The choice to use antibiotics is at the discretion of each farmer. The majority of our farmers rarely administer antibiotics if they choose to even use them at all. Additionally, there are not any antibiotics in the grain fed to the cows.
Do the cows producing Snowville Creamery milk eat any grain?
Yes. Snowville's farmers know that happy cows make exceptional milk. Our farmers always prioritize the health and comfort of their cows, and a major part of this means making sure they fulfill their cows' dietary needs. Our farmers give their herds a customized ration of feed that combines forages and grains to meet their nutritional needs at all stages of their lactation. Simply put, happy cows make exceptional milk.
Are the grasses the cows graze on sprayed with pesticides or herbicides?
The vast majority of our farmers do not tend their dairy pastures with herbicides and none with pesticides. Most of our farmers prefer mowing as a form of weed management. Their sustainable farming methods of rotating and resting the land promote health maintenance for both the cows and the pasture.
​
Additionally, manure from the cows serves as an effective and efficient form of natural fertilizer and some pest control.
We use plastic-coated paperboard milk cartons because they protect milk's goodness better than other packages. Both light and the container affect the flavor of milk. In addition, paper is a renewable resource and eight half-gallon paperboard containers require as much petroleum-based material as one half-gallon plastic milk jug.
Why don't you add a screw top lid to your cartons?
At Snowville Creamery, our core philosophy, to maintain the principles and values of sustainability and waste-minimization in everything we do, drives our choices. Paper is a renewable resource. Adding a plastic screw top would only add additional fossil fuel petroleum-based plastic waste to the environment and make the paperboard carton non-recyclable.
We say "shake before enjoying," and the best way to give it a good shaking is before the carton is opened for the very first time in your kitchen. After that, the best way to stir up the contents is by pinching the top closed at its center and swirl the container so that the bottom swings out in a circular motion while the top stays as stationary as possible. This technique should keep the milk from splashing out the opened top - if you vigorously shake the milk in an up-down motion, spillage is very difficult to contain under any scenario. For people who do prefer to more vigorously shake our milk each time it is used, our suggestion would be to simply pour it into a separate reusable container with a re-sealable lid.
Are the crops that grow the feed for the cows treated with Roundup?
The farmers that Snowville Creamery partners with believe that a nourished and healthy plant is the best defense against pests and weeds. They strategically and responsibly use treatments on the soil but not the plant itself, that aid the growth of the plant and suppress the growth of weeds/pests to ensure they can grow a healthy crop that will be utilized to meet the nutritional requirements of their dairy cows. There is no glyphosate/Roundup used in the production of the crops used in the feed for the cows.
Yes, it is possible. The product's appearance and texture may be altered slightly upon thawing. When dairy is frozen, the proteins in it are destabilized, and small white flecks may appear in a process known as feathering. Though a slightly granular texture may be present after thawing, the product is still edible and great for cooking.
What is pasteurization? What temperature is Snowville Creamery milk pasteurized to?
Pasteurization is the process of using heat to destroy pathogenic organisms that may be present in foods. Our fluid products start with milk that is pasteurized using the high-temperature short pasteurization method at 170°F for 18 seconds. This method helps preserve the authentic flavor of the milk from the cows' diet, as well as the milk's nutritional integrity. Snowville Creamery Milk is NEVER ultra-pasteurized.
What is homogenization? Is Snowville Creamery milk homogenized?
Most of our products are not homogenized. When milk is homogenized, its fat molecules are reduced in size so they can be distributed evenly throughout the milk and that keeps the cream from separating. That's convenient, but non-homogenized milk is less processed and closer to its natural state. In our opinion, non-homogenized milk is silkier, creamier and a delightful micro-indulgence that makes every day a little more delicious.
Is Snowville Creamery milk certified organic?
No, our products are not certified organic. In order to be certified organic, a dairy farmer must waive the right to treat a sick cow with antibiotics. A non-organic dairy cow with an infection, such as mastitis, can be treated with antibiotics, but her milk is not used until it tests negative for any antibiotics. We believe that local dairy farmers who practice exemplary dairying methods provide a wonderful alternative to Certified Organic milk.
How much grass do the cows consume?
Our #1 shared goal with our farmers is happy, healthy cows because we know that a well-nourished, thriving cow produces the most high quality, nutrient dense milk. Feeding as much grass as possible in a cows diet provides the cows and you with optimum nutrition, makes the milk taste better, and helps keep the planet healthy.
The cows that produce Snowville Creamery's milk eat a ration made up of 85% grass and legume forages, and non-GMO whole corn, with the remaining 15% made up of other essential nutrients and minerals specific to what the cows need for superlative nutrition during lactation.