CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER MARY FROM MADISON, WI. THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS!
We love our producers, suppliers and vendors and we think most of them have some pretty interesting stories behind their products too. We’ll be sharing some of our favorites here in an ongoing series. Read on for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
Doug Beretta is a family man. He’s one of four generations in Beretta Family Organic Dairy, a supplier of organic milk for Wallaby Yogurt. The dairy is based on a ranch that was bought in 1948 by Beretta’s grandfather, where the pasture-raised cows graze today. According to Beretta, the advantages of pasture-raising their cows are many. “You’re able to utilize your own land for feed. Organic feed costs are starting to get very expensive so we’re able to use our land to produce as much of the feed as we can.” In addition to the nutritional value of feeding cows on the pasture, “being on grass instead of concrete is a lot easier on the feet and legs of cows,” says Beretta.
Wallaby’s founders were looking for family farms and pasture-based dairies with this type of commitment to their cows and their milk, so partnering with Beretta Family Organics made perfect sense.
What do you think about the changes that Beretta Family Organic Dairy made when they switched from conventional to organic processes? Watch the slideshow above and leave a comment with your answer by September 9th. One comment will be chosen at random to win a $50 gift card to our stores.
Click here to check out Wallaby’s products or visit our stores to taste them for yourself. We carry their full line of organic yogurt as well as their outstanding sour cream!
I love Wallaby yogurt (I buy the large containers of plain) and it's great to see that they have a business they can be proud of and a commitment to organic that is better for us, and the cows too.
08/31/2011 9:44:51 PM CDT
Amy N. says ...
It is wonderful that they still have options to keep the cost down for consumers by using their own land to feed their cows. Sustainable practices are better for everyone.:-)
08/31/2011 9:45:44 PM CDT
Debbie says ...
More businesses should go the way of Wallaby Yogurt. It' commendable that they are organic and ethical.
08/31/2011 9:46:40 PM CDT
Rebecca says ...
I'm so happy Wallaby went organic. Their yogurts are super-yummy, and it's good for everyone!
08/31/2011 9:47:24 PM CDT
Angie W says ...
Wow, that's an awesome change. I like that they don't push for extra milk production from their cows. I'm really impressed with their story.
08/31/2011 9:48:08 PM CDT
leslie says ...
I think it is neat that the cows were more efficient with organic- shouldn't everyone do this then!? I love Wallaby yogurt... I just need stores closer to me to carry it!
08/31/2011 9:52:05 PM CDT
Tiki Adkisson says ...
I only eat yogurt that is organic (as well as most other dairy) so I am excited to try theirs. The flavors have looked really interesting but I have not purchased their yogurt before but now I will!
08/31/2011 9:53:22 PM CDT
Lena says ...
I really appreciate the respect for the animals the Beretta farm shows. Can't wait to try this yogurt out.
08/31/2011 9:54:55 PM CDT
Rebecca Kendall says ...
Awesome to be supporting family farms! So curious about why this NorCal brand is called Wallaby.
08/31/2011 9:55:15 PM CDT
Quiana says ...
I think it's great that they remain committed to treating everyone right from the animals, employees and customers. I wish more companies were like this!
08/31/2011 10:00:32 PM CDT
Michelle D. says ...
I have had Wallaby Yogurt, it's very excellent. Love all the different and unique flavors. Very glad that the Beretta family is commited to ethical standards and organic farming. Happy cows produce the best milk because they are not under stress.
08/31/2011 10:02:25 PM CDT
emily mcdowell says ...
I'm ready to try it! :)
08/31/2011 10:05:04 PM CDT
Alexandra says ...
Doing the right thing by sourcing ingredients locally, insisting on organically raised cows and treating everyone in the production and sales process fairly. Bravo Wallaby Yogurt!
08/31/2011 10:21:07 PM CDT
Susan Leahy says ...
God bless the family farmer! What a great story. I can't wait to buy Wallaby yougurt. Thank you for sharing the story and video. It makes the taste of the product better when you know the care that went into making it and the philosophy of the company. Thank you!
PS I have confidence that your yougurt will be wholesome for my 92-year old mother-in-law, too!
08/31/2011 10:24:49 PM CDT
Alice Woodman-Russell says ...
I think the switch from conventional to organic is an important one, for the health of the environment, consumers, and animals.
08/31/2011 10:26:36 PM CDT
Loretta Loui says ...
You had me at "being on grass instead of concrete is a lot easier on the legs and feet of the cows". No duh. I'm in. Can't wait to try it.
08/31/2011 10:27:36 PM CDT
Miranda says ...
I think that the slideshow was really good and very informative. The Beretta Family switching to Organic is wonderful. It is natural for the cows. And makes it more efficient and better for the cows.
08/31/2011 10:27:45 PM CDT
Karen H says ...
I think it is great that Wallaby is working with organic, small family-run dairies. Not only does it help create a great product but also helps support local businesses and communities.
08/31/2011 10:30:44 PM CDT
Kelly Murphy says ...
My kids love their yogurt. I am so thankful that they are organic.
08/31/2011 10:33:20 PM CDT
Sarah H. says ...
I used to just love Wallaby for the taste. Now it's even better!
08/31/2011 10:39:29 PM CDT
Jacob says ...
I like how they care for the cows
08/31/2011 10:40:14 PM CDT
Ansar El Muhammad says ...
I must say I have tasted the best yogurt ever! Your fat free vanilla bean yogurt is my favorite! I tell everyone about it! It does NOT taste fat free!
08/31/2011 10:42:48 PM CDT
Tom Yogi says ...
While I've tried many varieties of Greek, French, Canadian and domestic yogurts, I am a Wallaby addict... Their flavors are bright, fresh and taste "real", without any unpleasant aftertaste. They have a great array of flavors and styles (mixed or fruit/goodies on the bottom). I applaud Beretta Farm for going to natural grazing and I applaud Wallaby for working with them. This kind of responsible production cements my loyalty to the brand.
08/31/2011 10:44:08 PM CDT
Bernice says ...
I have never tried Wallaby yogurt, but the next time I go shopping I will look for it in the store.
08/31/2011 10:45:41 PM CDT
AJ says ...
I am all about doing well while doing good. I wish that more people would follow the example of Wallaby and the Beretta family.
Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market. Don't know us? In a nutshell, we are the world’s leading natural and organic grocer and we’re passionate about healthy food and a healthy planet. Learn more about us.
We’re lucky to have a whole bunch of smart, passionate people doing incredible things in areas like organics, supporting local growers, green practices, fair trade, micro-lending and all kinds of food related stuff. We’ll use this blog to share some of the cool things going on around here.
Of course what makes this blog really exciting is YOU — so join the conversation!