STUYVESANT, N.Y.– Grass-fed products were recently identified as a top 10 food trend in 2016 by retailer Whole Foods Market. As a leader in the grass-fed dairy category, Maple Hill Creamery’s mission is to lead and expand the certified 100% grass-fed dairy segment. As part of this mission, Maple Hill Creamery announced it has entered into a milk supply agreement with Stonyfield.
This month, Stonyfield is introducing a fruit on the bottom style yogurt made from 100% certified grass-fed milk, supplied exclusively by Maple Hill Creamery’s family of farms. The Stonyfield launch is exclusive to Whole Foods Markets nationwide for six months. The Stonyfield product is “Certified Grass-Fed by PCO” and adheres to the same high standard as Maple Hill Creamery. As part of the launch, both Stonyfield and Maple Hill Creamery are conducting a nationwide in-store sampling and educational initiative, providing grass-fed education to shoppers at Whole Foods Market throughout February and March.
“A rising tide raises all boats. While this agreement may seem surprising and counterintuitive from a competitive standpoint, it is not only in line with our mission, but is also in the best long term interest of the grass-fed dairy industry,” said Tim Joseph, founding farmer and CEO of Maple Hill Creamery.
"Our mission is to promote healthy food, healthy people, and a healthy planet, that's why everything we make under the Stonyfield brand is certified organic. Adding yogurt made from 100% Certified Grassfed milk to our Stonyfield product lineup is just one more way we can give shoppers the chance to choose food made with our mission – and our delicious recipes – in mind. And we couldn't think of a better ally on this mission than the folks at Maple Hill Creamery," said Ben Angeloni, Stonyfield’s Vice President of Marketing.
The “100% grass-fed” certification is particularly important to the category, so consumers can be assured that when they see “grass-fed” on the label that it means 100% forage all the time, with no grain, soy, corn, or other grain supplementation, ever.
Less than five percent of New York organic dairy farms raise 100% grass-fed cows. While “pastured” and “grass-fed” dairy product package claims are growing in popularity, there is no standard for these labeling claims, which are not monitored or sanctioned by the FDA. Organic dairy cows are only required to consume 30% of their feed from grazing, and are often fed a diet including grain, corn, and other non-forage feed supplements. Recently, the USDA, which oversees beef labeling, ruled to have grass-fed claims removed from beef due to a lack of a federal standard across the industry.
“The dairy, and particularly yogurt, category is currently awash in ‘grass-fed-ish’ products that are neither certified, nor 100% grass-fed,” said Joseph. “By working with Stonyfield we are drawing the first line in the sand as to what ‘grass-fed’ should mean in dairy, and it also sends a signal to food marketers that there needs to be a focus put on grass-fed dairy claims.”
“I am extremely proud and excited to form this partnership with Stonyfield to increase awareness and education of 100% grass-fed dairy, and to continue to affect positive changes in the industry,” said Joseph.
About Maple Hill Creamery
Maple Hill Creamery is a farm-family owned dairy manufacturer founded in 2009, and is widely recognized as the preeminent leader in the emerging 100% grass-fed dairy category. MHC is the first dairy brand to receive the Pennsylvania Certified Organic 100% Grassfed Certification. Since day one, Maple Hill has stood by their conviction that 100% grass-fed organic dairy farming is better for everyone from cows to consumers. 100% grass-fed dairy farming produces the highest quality milk, supports the healthiest lifestyle for cows, improves the fertility of grazing land, and allows farmers to prosper. The Maple Hill Creamery Milkshed now numbers over 47 small farms, and is looking to transition at least several dozen more farms to certified 100% grass-fed in 2016. Maple Hill Creamery products are available nationwide at Natural Grocers, Stop & Shop, ShopRite, PCC Markets, Safeway, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Earth Fare, Target, Sprouts, and Whole Foods Market, as well as many specialty and independent retailers. For more information, visit www.maplehillcreamery.com, and follow us on Twitter @MapleHillCream, Facebook (www.facebook.com/maplehillcreamery), and Instagram @maplehillcreamery.
About PCO Certification
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO), a USDA-accredited certifying agency, has created the first 100% Grassfed Certification for dairy (and meat) producers and food manufacturers that includes traceability through the entire supply chain mirroring the organic traceability model. Maple Hill Creamery is the first third-party certified organic, 100% grass-fed dairy brand in the United States.
Source: Maple Hill Creamery
