Milk Run

So for years the words "milk run" meant a trip over to the store for 20 minutes. Now it means a trip up to the farm, an hour drive out and another back to the organic farm in the country. We belong to a milk group, a co-op so we can have fresh, raw, organic, grass fed-year around milk. A few years ago we thought people who did this were kind of... extreme. Well after learning about milk, how it has changed in recent years, the history of farms, etc. (too long to go into...) we have changed dramatically our openness to trying something new. Knowing what we do now, after experiencing fresh milk, we are thrilled to be living here and able to have this commodity. We don't wear Birkenstocks, or believe in free love, but we do value nutrition, and local fresh food. The milk is amazing in nutritive value and flavor. When we can't get this milk, (due to traveling, etc.) the next best thing is our organic, pasteurized, non-homogenized grass fed milk at the store. But the enzymes are killed, and the nutritive value is diminished. So we are happy like the people for hundreds of years before us to get to have fresh milk and cream. We love it on our coffee, we love making fresh home-made ice cream or yogurt, and enjoy how good food tastes when it comes from good ingredients. Good ingredients comes also from valuing our farmers, and our land, and supporting them. So we are happy to try and support this local organic dairy farmer. Moo!

Today was our turn, so on our milk run we brought 22 gallons of glass bottles for milk, in seven coolers, along with five children, and a van full of laughter.  We brought two French friends to show them the farm, and give them a chance to see some Amish country. We found one of the new calves was sporting a tag with his namesake-Francois.
He liked that. "Bonjour!"

We happened to see a Catholic priest who was finishing getting milk, and struck up a fun conversation. Bonus was we received a travel blessing for the kids. He loves kids and promised to come by for some food when he's down in our area. We showed our friends the dairy cows, took note of the many chores on the farm (so my kids could appreciate their easy suburban chores), and spoke to the farmer's wife. Sometimes we get fresh eggs, or grass fed beef from this farmer. Today, it was milk and a little education about where it comes from. So you never know what sort of adventure will arise when you venture away from big-box commercial food, to local, fresh food. I love knowing where my food comes from, supporting my farmer, and being a part of my community. I don't love how long it took for our adventure, as most of the day was spent to do this, but we made it really fun outing! Moo!