Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opinions?

Fellow Foodies--

Curious question for "y'all"--have any of you drank RAW MILK or CREAMLINE (CREAMTOP) MILK before? Growing up on a farm in Georgia and owning a farm now with our family in Loudoun County--we have had both types of milk.

I am doing a research project this semester for my Food Science/Nutrition degree regarding Sustainable and Local Foods. In states like PA, you can consume RAW MILK and purchase it. Some studies have shown that RAW MILK is beneficial to people who are lactose intolerant. Any thoughts? If you could have access to RAW MILK, would you buy it?

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Hi Foodie,

I would not drink raw milk or give it to anyone in my family. I learned way too much in my microbiology class last year, especially since one of my girls has a heart issue. It's just too risky for us. I am lactose intolerant and love soy milk and soy products, like soy cheese and soy creamers. Everything except soy yogurt. That has the most disgusting consistency.

Lori

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

koajeri and others--

Yes, for some people RAW MILK can be quite different. I grew up where my grandparents served us RAW MILK on their farm and we also drunk the milk as kids. I can remember my grandmother skimming the cream off the top of the milk container and we would put the thick cream on our cereal or oatmeal.

Great way to use fresh milk--my grandmother also showed us how to churn FRESH butter and boy--was that good!

Oh, well--I still love RAW MILK or CREAMTOP MILK. Thanks.

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Raw milk from grass-fed cows raised in clean environments is healthy and retains all the nutrients that the pasteurization process strips out, from what I have read. It's comical that they have to ADD Vitamin D back in. Pasteurization would not be necessary if cows were fed what they were supposed to eat and milked in clean environments. It's the same as all of the "processed" foods we eat, which strip out all the natural nutrients our bodies need. It's great for the vitamin industry, eh?!

Foodie, I'll pass your info on to my wife as she knows more about this...but she'll contact you via email since this is a controversial subject for some!

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

I grew up in MD and we would go up to Lancaster, PA every summer. My parents often bought raw milk from a farmer there, but I'm not sure that it's something that I would frequently myself.

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

cindyb, Silence Dogood99, and others--

Yes, Raw Milk is unfortunately illegal in VA and MD. Recently in Hagerstown, MD--Washington County area--a Mennonite farmer got into "hot water" for selling Raw Milk to consumers.

Technically--and by VA law--someone CANNOT LEGALLY purchase Raw Milk for human consumption. Farmers CANNOT SELL Raw Milk but you CAN DRINK Raw Milk. The way "around this law" is that farmers are forming a "Cooperative" where people can purchase "shares to buy cows and the cows are boarded" on the farmer's farms. The money that you purchase a "cow-sharing program" goes to pay for Vet bills, milk bottles, feed, etc. You can buy milk that is sold as "Pet Milk" in some areas.

The pathogens and bacteria is a prime concern for the USDA. There is still alot of studies being done to determine its (Raw Milk) benefits, etc.

Here are some interesting web sites and info to read if interested.

www.westonaprice.org (Weston Price Foundation's site/info with good resources.)

www.realmilk.com/where2.html (Real Milk's site for where to purchase Raw Milk, etc.)

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/14/AR2007021400894.html (Washington Post's article on farmers selling Raw Milk and other interesting info.)

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092700108.html (Washington Post's article on Raw Milk and its concerns, etc. The Raw Deal article shows how people will go to any length to obtain milk.)

Enjoy!

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Wait - it's against the law in VA????? SIGN ME UP!!!!

Seriously - I'd give it a shot.

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

foodie,

I used to live in CA and could get raw milk at Alta Dena. I would often buy it, but I find that non-homogenized milk was sort of a nuisance (that darn cream keeps floating to the top and getting stolen by some family members...).

In trying to find out if Alta Dena still sells raw milk (it appears they don't), I stumbled on this: http://www.realmilk.com/untoldstory_2.html.

Best regards,
Richard

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Great article. I especially liked these two quotes:

"A final warning: if those pushing compulsory pasteurization, food irradiation and other treatments of all raw foods have their way, the end result will be the sterilization of the entire food supply—of course in the name of safety and consumer protection."
So we are supposed to trust the government to protect us, when the food and drugs they approve are probably killing us. Gotta love that.

"Our webmaster Jill Nienhiser recently queried Organic Valley, a major producer of organic dairy products, about their practice of ultrapasteurizing most of their milk. In their response, Organic Valley made the following claim: "Not all thermoduric bacteria are killed by conventional pasteurization. By ultrapasteurizing fresh milk, you are returning the milk to its original near sterile state—removing what the environment has added." This is a most interesting admission—that conventional pasteurization does not ensure that milk will be free of pathogens—and the claim that milk in its original state is "near sterile" is ludicrous. It comes already innoculated with beneficial bacteria and supports their proliferation. Only harmful bacteria can grow in ultrapasteurized milk."
My favorite part is "what the environment has added," which to me means the nasty conditions in most of these dairies. If they fed cows what they were supposed to and kept their dairies spotless, we wouldn't have to kill all the crap that's added!

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Silence and others--

Great research. Are you (our your company) in the "food business" also?

Seriously, the USDA is "strong arming" dairy farmers from PA to VA (and other dairy operations--small and large family farms) just trying to eke out a livelihood for their families. Yes, we need to make sure our food supply is safe and sanitary. Look how well the Chinese government is concerned with "safety issues" when exporting foods and toys to our USA?

By the way--we are researching a breed of cattle (dual-purpose breed) that is small and can be used for their beef and milk for small herd farmers like ourselves. Interesting breed of cattle that originated in the Southwestern portion of Ireland. Google if you are curious. The milk from Dexter cows produces a rich 4.5 percent of fat. Great breed for meat and milk.

We will tour cattle operations that features these unique animals. There are some local farms in MD that raises Dexters. We are looking at a cheese business possible. Alot of paperwork and "hoop-jumping" (cheese hoops included--bad pun) to investigate and details to work out.

We may lease farm land in Frederick, MD areas if Loudoun County is "unfriendly" to our plans. We shall see.

We know of farms in PA and VA where you can buy Raw Milk and Raw Milk cheeses. One VA farm that makes and sells great Raw Milk cheeses is Meadow Creek Farm in Galax, VA. Great farm.

Web sites are--

www.meadowcreekdairy.com (Meadow Creek Dairy's site/info for Raw Milk local cheeses.)

www.newfarm.org (New Farm is a great farm resource for all types of products. CSA(s), direct sell programs to Consumers, etc.)

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

We only drink milk without Rgbh. We don't beleive it when the Govt tells us that it is safe. how else to explain the resistance to anitbiotics, or the kids growing to be Amazons...just sit outside any HS these days and see how few short people there really are anymore (of course I'm speaking of the teens now, not us). Feeding cows antibiotics and growth hormones, which we then consume...need I say more? besides, we know that the FDA is most likely muzzled by the top just like we've seen play out with the other "hot buttomn issues"!

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

BTW there is no truth to milk making you fat. We switched back to 2% from 1% based on my nutirionist's advice. not only did it taste better, NONE OF US HAVE GAINED ANYWEIGHT SINCE FEBRUAY 2007 When we made the change. Doing our bones much better, too!

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Brassy and others--

Yes, you are correct about rBGH/rBST problems related to milk products.
Recently in PA, there was a big "to do" about PA farmers wanting to label their rBGH/rBST-free milk on their milk products. The State of PA finally agreed to let farmers label their dairy products rBGH/rBST-free. Ohio is now facing that same challenge.

Read the following story dated 01/19/08 for more details from the Organic Consumers Association web site and links. Great read.

More info/web sites and links below--

www.organicconsumers.org/rbghlink.cfm (Organic Consumers Association site/info for great info not just on dairy.)

www.sustainabletable.org (Sustainable Table site/info with great info also.)

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Fellow Foodies--

I received my Lancaster Farming newspaper in today's mail with an interesting article that you might find interesting. The article is in response to Marylanders asking for Raw Milk. In 2006--the Maryland Department of Health passed a regulation that prohibits "cow shares" from being sold to people who wanted to be able to purchase Raw Milk from dairy farmers.

The article in Lancaster Farming newspaper is on Page A24 and entitled "Marylanders Ask for Raw Milk". You can read the article on the Electronic Edition link.

Advocates of Raw Milk today say--the current bill that Delegate Kipke is sponsoring to restore the right for Maryland small farmers to sell fresh and unpasteurized milk for consumers to buy--will encourage more dairy farming in Maryland. Quite an interesting read.

Web site and link below--enjoy!

www.lancasterfarming.com (Lancaster Farming newspaper's site/info. Great paper to read with Nutrition and Farming links.)

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Fellow Foodies--

I am meeting with the Trickling Springs Creamery owners in Chambersburg, PA Thursday, 04/03/08, about selling for our Mennonite business their Organic Creamline Milk products and yogurts, butters (real butter fat--yummo!), hand-churned ice cream and frozen yogurt from their OWN milk, and other dairy products.

Would any of you be interested in glass-bottled milk (chocolate and white), ice cream for PA, half-and-half, whipping cream, and other dairy products? Also, I can arrange for us to start a Buying Club for Trickling Springs products. Minimum order is ONLY $150, I believe.

You would purchase the bottled milk and receive a deposit back for each bottle returned and cleaned. Just a thought for more PA products. Post here if interested or PM me.

Web site for Trickling Springs Creamery is below. Check out their site and product line. There is alot more than what they show on their web site.

www.tricklingspringscreamery.com (Trickling Springs Creamery's site/info.)

Good eats--

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Fellow Foodies--

Well, after flying back from Sarasota, FL from our family reunion of 100 relatives/vacation, :scaredeyes: (by the way--grandmother's broken arm is healing nicely--she fell off a stepladder while washing her windows), I saw someone on the forum inquiring about RAW MILK purchases. My grandparents' farm was as busy as ours when we returned home.

Yes, we drink milk from our Dexter cows, and it is raw! Great nutritional value also. I make my own raw milk cheeses, etc. Anyway, for those of you wanting info about purchasing Raw Milk and Raw Milk cheeses, read my previous posts concerning where to buy it.

Since our background is in the Mennonite faith and farming, we do have connections with Amish & Mennonite farms where you can buy RAW MILK in PA. You can also buy what is called "cow shares" which simply entails purchasing a "share" from a farmer and buying a cow. The farmer then will maintain the cow's health, vet bills/visits, etc. Your "cow share" money goes to the farmer for the vet bills, etc. Then you have pre-arranged pickups at the farm or other agreed location (yes, "cow shares" are LEGAL in VA & MD!) for the dairy products.

Read Weston A. Price Foundation's web site info below with links.

www.westonaprice.org (Weston A. Price's site/info.)

As far as South Mountain Creamery, located near Frederick, MD, the farmers are friends of ours since we have known them for a few years with cooperatives, etc., the dairy WILL NOT DELIVER to Loudoun County because of the routes that are already established to Vienna and DC areas. I have already contacted South Mountain Creamery to try to arrange delivery routes for Ashburn, Cascades, Eastern Loudoun areas, and other areas, but last time I checked for friends of ours from the 'burbs (about 3 months ago), there is NOT enough interest to warrant home delivery.

Several years ago South Mountain Creamery provided dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.) at Loudoun Farmers Markets. However, because South Mountain Creamery was providing cheeses from a farmer in Frederick, MD, the Loudoun County Farmers Association decided to have South Mountain not sell any more at the markets. It (the farm products) had to be produced within 150 miles of Loudoun County and "local". Quite a political mess--so South Mountain Creamery pulled out of Loudoun County Farmers Markets.

If you want fresh dairy products delivered for home delivery--we can get Trickling Springs Creamery to deliver with a minimum order of $200. PM me if interested. Read info I posted about Trickling Springs on their product line. Check previous threads realted to Trickling Springs Creamery by doing a Search on the forum. They are located in Chambersburg, PA and delivers to Amish markets and local restaurants/stores in VA, MD, PA, DC, etc. Whole Foods Markets carries their bottled milk and pays for the Whole Foods name to be on the bottle caps.

Web sites are below--

www.tricklingspringscreamery.com (Trickling Springs Creamery site/info.)

www.southmountaincreamery.com (South Mountain Creamery's site/info.)

Hope this helps. PM or post me for more info.

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

I find it funny how people always find a way to skirt the law.

Cow Shares????? Bull Manure. I understand wanting to legalize raw milk, if it does have benefits, but come on! The cows are still on the farm and milked by the farmer and you still pay the farmer.

It's Milk Laundering I tell you!!!! You should all go to Dairy Jail - where they only serve powdered milk mixed with tap water.

Seriously, though. I never knew there was such a controversy about this. Thanks for all the info!

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

The sad part is that small farmers have had their livelihood taken away by federal agents because they were distributing raw milk. If people only knew that was in the milk they get at most grocery stores...Big Oil isn't evil, BIG MILK is!

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

jaxmanjoe, Silence Dogood99, and others--

Glad you found the information informative. If you wish some homemade raw milk cheese, PM me, and I will provide you some farms where you can purchase the cheese. Great food for purists!

Have a good week--

Foodie

 

Re: Raw Milk (Unpasteurized & Unhomogenized) vs. Creamline Milk (Creamtop Milk) Opini

Fellow Foodies--

Here is a follow-up article on the Raw Milk issue facing Maryland dairy farmers. I just received our latest issue in the mail today of Lancaster Farming newspaper. An updated article was written concerning the HB 1080 bill that is before Maryland lawmakers concerning selling Raw Milk and cow shares.

In the article, "Real Emotions Over Real Milk" , the writer Janice F. Booth explores the House Bill regarding sales of Raw Milk to the public from dairy farms. It is still being debated in Maryland. Just curious what your opinions are and if you have ever drank Raw Milk?

We know of farmers in PA where you can still purchase Raw Milk and their Raw Milk products. Our kids have drank Raw Milk and have not had any ill effects. You just know your food sources just like anything else.

Below is the web site link for Lancaster Farming newspaper. There are great "foodie" articles to read online also. If you are interested, there are recipes and other informative information. Enjoy!

www.lancasterfarming.com (Lancaster Farming's site/info.)

Foodie