The two week “Hit the Dairy Aisle and Head to the Slopes” promotion runs from January 14-29^th and a portion of the proceeds from all Co-op Food Stores brand milk sold during this time will be contributed to the Keep Local Farms program.  Stores will host Cabot Cheese taste-testing events and display in-store signage educating people about locally produced dairy products.  In addition, customers who purchase qualifying dairy products from participating brands are eligible to win ski-related prizes contributed by Ski Vermont.

Tony White is the Co-op’s Director of Operations. His passion for local agriculture is common among the staff there. “If we are to successfully keep local farms, all retailers must move beyond the bottom line focus of merely selling products. We want others to follow our lead and direct more revenue from all dairy sales back to the local farm economy. It’s a simple equation; by contributing a portion of all milk sales at the Co-op—regardless of whether or not it is a local milk product—we are choosing the most sustainable way to stand behind local farms.”

Co-op Food Stores started partnering with Keep Local Farms in January 2010, and since that time they have contributed almost $40,000 to the program.  For more information about the promotion, visit www.coopfoodstore.coop.

Sampling Event Details:

White River Junction Co-op Food Stores
209 Maple Street, White River Junction, VT 05001
Saturday, Jan. 21^st - 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Hanover Co-op Food Stores
45 South Park Street, Hanover, NH 03755
Saturday, Jan. 21^st - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Lebanon Co-op Food Stores
12 Centerra Parkway, Lebanon, NH 03766
Saturday, Jan. 21^{st  -} 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Boston, MA –October 13, 2011- A unique dairy farmer-led program called “Keep Local Farms” (KLF) observed its 2nd anniversary of operations with the distribution of more than $140,000 to its 1400+ dairy farm members across New England. The funds were raised from New Englanders who wanted to show their support for local dairy farmers, fresh locally-sourced dairy products, and the green, open spaces those farms provide for the enjoyment of everyone.

Vermont dairy farmer Jane Clifford of Starksboro, who is the Chairperson of the New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative, called the check distribution historic, and thanked people for their support. “We could not be more thrilled, humbled and gratified that New Englanders voted with their wallets thousands of times to support the Keep Local Farms program, and its mission to support the family farms of our region.”

People contributed to the program through KeepLocalFarms.org and by participating in program partner promotions, where a portion of proceeds benefited the Keep Local Farms program. For a full list of partners, visit KeepLocalFarms.org/program-overview/program-partners/.

New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture Lorraine Merrill, whose family operates a historic dairy farm in Stratham, echoed Clifford’s sentiments. Said Merrill, “We recognize that the first Keep Local Farms check being sent to dairy farmers is a modest one, but also highly symbolic. It symbolizes the deep and abiding link New Englanders have to their agricultural roots, the respect they have for dairy farmers and the high quality, nutritious products they produce, and their appreciation for the beauty of the New England landscape.”

Massachusetts dairy farmer Lucinda Williams of Hatfield agrees and adds, “It’s not easy being farmers in New England, and what the Keep Local Farms program is attempting to do is not simple, either. We are trying to fundamentally change and strengthen the relationship between local dairy farmers and our neighbors throughout New England. This program is still young, but it’s taken some significant steps in its first two years.”

Clifford also saluted the corporate partners who supported the program in its infancy. “Supermarkets big and small, colleges and universities, hospitals, dairy brands and more all took a chance on a fledgling program that started with a simple concept: New Englanders value having local dairy farms and would be willing to voluntarily support those family farms by paying a little extra to support them. We cannot thank those partners enough for what they have done.”

In addition to raising money for local dairy farms throughout the six states, the program has education at the heart of its mission. The Keep Local Farms website KeepLocalFarms.org features videos of dairy farmers talking about what they do, and why they love dairy farming. There are educational videos, such as one that illustrates how milk gets from the cow to the kitchen table. More such efforts are promised in the years ahead.

For more information about Keep Local Farms and to make a contribution, please visit www.KeepLocalFarms.org.

Download this press release here.

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About Keep Local Farms

Launched in September 2009, Keep Local Farms is part of a broad effort to educate consumers about the value of local dairy farms and also to raise funds to support New England dairy farmers. Keep Local Farms is partnering with retailers, universities and businesses to support local dairy farmers and the products they produce while increasing the demand for local milk. The program was developed by the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council, New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative and New England Dairy Promotion Board. For more information, visit www.KeepLocalFarms.org.

CONTACT:

Diane Bothfeld, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Vermont Agency of Agriculture
Diane.Bothfeld@state.vt.us, 802. 828.2430

Jane Clifford, Chairperson
New England Family Dairy Farms Cooperative
ejclifford@comcast.net, 802.233.9563

Jenny Karl, MS, RD, LDN
New England Dairy Promotion Board
JKarl@NewEnglandDairy.com, 617.997.9241

Great Brook Farm in Carlisle, Massachusetts is home to the state’s only robotic milking system, and it’s making headlines! Watch the Hidden Gems Segment on Chronicle as farm owners Mark and Tamma Duffy describe their “Smart Barn,” which includes an robotic scratcher, an automatic dung shovel, and a robotic milker!

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Learn even more about Great Brook Farm by visiting Cabot Creamery Cooperative.