Why dairy foods are good for you and your children:

When we were all much younger, our mothers told us we had to drink lots of milk if we wanted to grow up to be healthy and strong.  Mom knew what she was talking about.  Look at all the healthy ingredients milk contains:

Calcium:

Milk and milk products are the single best source of calcium. Calcium is one of  the most essential minerals in our bodies.  It promotes the formation of strong bones and healthy teeth in children, and helps older people avoid osteoporosis. When combined with Vitamin B12, it helps to lower high blood pressure.  It has been shown to lower blood lipid levels and significantly reduce the level LDL (bad) cholesterol.  In addition to helping maintain a healthy immune system, studies show that a total daily intake of 1,200 mg of calcium can reduce the  risk of colon cancer by as much as 30%.

Protein:

Milk contains the essential proteins that we all need to stay healthy. Protein builds muscle and connective tissue, helps maintain our immune system, and contributes to the health of every organ and system in our bodies. One cup of yogurt provides nearly 20% of the recommended protein for the average adult male.

Vitamins and minerals:

Milk is an excellent source of Vitamins A, E and D. Milk’s natural sugars help the body to absorb calcium through the digestive tract. Milk from pasture fed cows contains as much as five times the level of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an antioxidant that helps prevent cancer, as cows that are not allowed to graze. Besides containing substantial amounts of  protein, yogurt is also a great source of Riboflavin (B12), Phosphorus and Potassium.

Live active cultures and probiotics:  

Ronnybrook yogurts contain live, active and probiotic cultures that strengthen the immune system and promote digestive health while improving the bio-availability of various vitamins, minerals and proteins. For those who are truly lactose intolerant, yogurt is a valuable source of calcium.

Weight control: 

Studies show that the regular consumption of dairy products lowers the risk of obesity.  Nearly 15% of our kids are overweight.  A Boston University study found that just two servings of dairy a day are linked to a substantial reduction in adolescent obesity. A study at the University of Tennessee concluded that milk and dairy products actually burn fat. The study found that women especially benefit from the consumption of low fat dairy products.  Drinking lots of low fat dairy can reduce their risk of obesity by as much as 80%.

Why is Ronnybrook milk better?: 

The Ronnybrook family has been milking cows in the Hudson Valley for more than 75 years. When our parents began farming they were characterized as being progressive and modern because of their recognition of the importance of balanced nutrition, genetics and record keeping. Through the years, while following their tradition, we have learned how to manufacture dairy products that are both healthy and delicious. 75 years later, we are considered old-fashioned, a quality we are proud of.

We think our milk and dairy products are better for all the following reasons:

• You know where it comes from.   We’re local and all of our products are incredibly fresh.  We do it all.  We raise all of our own cows.  We feed them with feed grown almost exclusively on the farm.  We milk them, manufacture the various Ronnybrook products and then deliver them to our patrons in our own trucks.   By concentrating our distribution in the northeast region, our milk moves from cow to table in a little more than a day.  Call and come visit us and our cows.
• Closed herd, Grass fed, free range cows:  We have not brought any cows into the herd in more than 10 years. At Ronnybrook, the health and happiness of our Holsteins cows come first.  A recent study found that only 10 to 12 percent of the cows on America’s farms are grazed.  During the spring, summer and fall the primary part of our cow’s diet is fresh pasture that grows on our Hudson Valley farm. In the winter, our cows consume large amounts of hay that we harvest on the farm during the summer. A study conducted by the USDA has determined that cows that are pasture fed produce milk containing as much as five times the level of conjugated linoleic acid(CLA), a known anti-carcinogen, as cows managed in confined housing. Ronnybrook yogurt also contains active probiotic cultures that are known to strengthen the immune system and promote digestive health.  In fact, Ronnybrook yogurt contains the very same probiotics advertised by one of the largest commercial yogurt manufacturers as the only yogurt containing these probiotics-it simply isn’t true. Our concern for our cows goes way beyond just what they eat. Our cows have their very own comfort stalls where they are milked and where they sleep in the winter. Each stall has a four inch thick soft mattress that we cover with a dusting of fresh wood shavings each day. In the summer, weather permitting, they sleep on pasture.
• No artificial growth hormones.   Our pledge to our customers and our cows:  We have never used them and never will.
• Non-homogenized:  Homogenization is a simple process that can do serious damage to the structure of milk.  Large dairy plants have been homogenizing milk for more than fifty years. The process began in earnest when dairy manufacturers stopped using glass bottles and switched to cardboard. Consumers could no longer see the cream line on the milk and when the cream flowed from the cardboard container, many consumers thought the milk was spoiled. Homogenization is a mechanical process which pulverizes the large butterfat globules and breaks them down to micron sized pieces.  Although the product looks “homogenous” and smooth, studies have shown that homogenized milk is not as healthy as non-homogenized milk. Instead of milk fats being digested slowly as they move through the digestive system, the fat is absorbed directly into the blood stream from the stomach.  It simply shocks the system and may act as a toxin.  There have been other studies that show that healthful enzymes that surround milk fats may be destroyed when milk is homogenized. Many of our customers tell us that Ronnybrook milk is the only milk they can drink without suffering from digestion problems. We strongly believe that non-homogenized milk is simply better for you. It certainly tastes better.

Beyond the health benefits, non-homogenized milk lets the cream rise to the top, the old fashioned way all milk used to be.  That’s why we call it Creamline™.  You can spoon off a little cream for your coffee, or shake it up for a consistent whole milk.

• Low temperature pasteurization:   Our milk is processed at the lowest temperature allowed by law (170 degrees) keeping it safe, but not over processed.  Many brands of organic of milk are “ultra” pasteurized at high temperatures.  This gives the milk a slightly longer shelf life, but may destroy beneficial enzymes and bacteria.
• We’re Green.   The glass bottles don’t just look pretty. They can be re-used as many as two dozen times.  They’re part of Ronnybrook’s commitment to recycling, sustainability and the smart use of our planet’s resources.  Because we’re local our distribution system is more legible and minimizes the use of fuels when delivering our milk from the cows to your table.  By supporting local agriculture the public helps preserve open space and the rich environmental diversity of this area for everyone to enjoy. In Europe they call it “Eating Your View. The 12oz PET bottles we use for our drinkable yogurts and grab and go milks are #1 recyclable. The #5 containers we use for our yogurt packaging, though not readily recyclable, use less plastic to form the same size container. In addition, the #5 is lighter than #1 and #2 plastics, thus reducing fuel consumption during transport. Please note the recent increase in bottle deposit. The glass bottle will be $1.50. We have had to increase the price due to increased freight and glass costs. We appreciate your understanding.