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 am on my way to Whole Foods, to purchase Wallaby Yogurt, I can't wait to try it. After watching FOOD,INC. the documentary, I can't believe how ignorant I have been as a consumer. I am supporting local farmers with my pocketbook from now on. Keep up the fantastic work! CHEERS!
09/01/2011 9:11:07 AM CDT
Nancy Nevins says ...
I like the wonderful, rich full flavor of your yogurt, and cottage cheese.
09/01/2011 9:12:04 AM CDT
sharon says ...
So glad they made the change; we love Wallaby yogurt!
09/01/2011 9:12:22 AM CDT
Mike says ...
Kudos to this farm for going organic and putting the health of people and the planet over profits....Well done!
09/01/2011 9:24:25 AM CDT
Denise Morse says ...
I think its great and you can taste the changes in the food
09/01/2011 9:30:37 AM CDT
Susan says ...
Commitment is key - sometimes that is what it takes to do what seems to not make business sense....their products are great. Thanks for the story.
09/01/2011 9:32:49 AM CDT
Sandra K says ...
I am so glad they went organic and have compassion for their cows. Wallaby yogurt is delicious!
09/01/2011 9:39:50 AM CDT
Paula Hurley says ...
Love your organic yogurt sprinkled with chopped walnuts....so good!
09/01/2011 9:39:56 AM CDT
Lee Anne Burroughs says ...
My girls and I love Wallaby yougert, especially the Key Lime. Wallaby is my oldest daughther's favorite brand of yogert!
09/01/2011 9:42:27 AM CDT
Joe says ...
I love Wallaby yogurt and kudo's to Beretta Family Organic Dairy for making the switch to pasture-raised cows.
09/01/2011 9:44:21 AM CDT
terri says ...
A great and tasty moo-ve to organic farming! Your cows,family and customers are very happy to join you on this healthy adventure!
09/01/2011 9:46:34 AM CDT
Stacey O'Brien says ...
Dare I say it, but those cows almost look like they are smiling! Organic farming is truly the best process for all living things involved and the happiness truly shines through all the way to the yogurt! I open the lid of a Wallaby yogurt to a great smell, appearance, texture, and taste each and every time!
09/01/2011 9:47:09 AM CDT
Barrie says ...
Congrats, Wallaby, on working with small farmers like the Beretta family! The cows sound healthier and the yogurt has got to taste better!
09/01/2011 9:52:23 AM CDT
Aneah says ...
It always brings a smile to my face when I hear that switching to organic not only made the cows happier but the people as well. They should be teaching classes to get more farmers and companies to do this! My hubby is hooked on Peach currently and our cats love to lick the rip off top when he opens one up. Can you please make a plain? I have to buy another brand when I use it in baking and cooking. Thanks!
09/01/2011 10:00:16 AM CDT
Melody says ...
Love any company that takes care of the animals and farms that are necessary for that company's success. Also, love seeing family farms being utilized because the big corporate farms are only about profit, it seems, no matter what. What the Beretta Family - along with Wallaby- is doing is better for all of us in the long run and wish more people would care so much.
09/01/2011 10:02:04 AM CDT
Aliya says ...
I'm really happy to read about this connection back to and reminder of where my food comes from. Makes it taste better too!
Thank you!
09/01/2011 10:21:39 AM CDT
Joe says ...
That is a great story. It only costs pennies more to eat fine products like Wallaby. When will the US catch up to the rest of the world and ban artificial growth hormones. I guess Monsanto's political lobby has mucho influence on the USDA.
09/01/2011 10:22:21 AM CDT
Julie B. says ...
Love it! Pride in workmanship and honor trump greed... always! Thanks for respecting that which nourishes us instead of abusing nature to pad your wallet.
09/01/2011 10:23:00 AM CDT
Jennifer says ...
Wallaby is our family's favorite yogurt, especially the plain drizzled with honey and topped with organic Colorado peaches. So glad the Beretta family (including the cows) experienced such a wonderful increase in their quality of life when they switched to organic processes.
09/01/2011 10:26:31 AM CDT
Sheila R. says ...
I grew up in rural Wisconsin, right across from a corn field and down the road from a dairy farm. It brings a smile to my heart to know the small farmer is still important in a big way...helping to produce health-friendly products in a natural environment. Thanks to the Beretta family and Wallaby for what they have done!
09/01/2011 10:31:40 AM CDT
Che says ...
I absolutely love to hear when a company switches to organic. It's so much better for everyone. I wish other companies would follow.
09/01/2011 10:51:45 AM CDT
keith says ...
Going to grass-feeding as much as possible is always a good thing ..... for cows and humans. And putting humane concerns above maximum profits is almost reason enough to buy organic from Wallaby.
09/01/2011 10:54:13 AM CDT
Nina says ...
Yes! I am so happy to see that companies are coming around to the idea of working with real farmers who live on their land running family businesses! As Doug quoted the company, organic family-oriented farming may not be the way to make as much money as possible, but it is certainly the best way to promote health, well-being, and responsible stewardship of the Earth while making a living. Bravo.
09/01/2011 10:58:53 AM CDT
Rosie says ...
Happy cows means happy farmers and happy consumers. It is a way to promote the well being for all living things.
09/01/2011 11:17:34 AM CDT
Emily Wyman says ...
I love hearing about companies that want to form relationships that benefit and take care of everyone in their supply chain!
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!