TUALATIN, Ore. – Three Oregon dairies run by the family of Pacific Natural Foods’ Founder Chuck Eggert have joined the farmer-owned cooperative, Organic Valley, ensuring a stable market for the milk they produce and affirming a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Established in 2006, the farms include Country Lane, Mayfield, and Valley Falls Dairies which together employ 45 people in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The farms supply milk, cream and creme fraiche for use in Pacific Natural Foods’ popular soups and culinary products. The company’s milk needs ebb and flow with seasonal production cycles, creating a surplus milk supply at some points in the year, and shortages at others. Being in the Organic Valley co-op allows Pacific to be a part of a larger supply cycle so that it always has access to ingredients, and can share excess milk when not needed.
“We share a vision with Organic Valley for sustainable agriculture without antibiotics or synthetic hormones and pesticides, ample pasture for animals, and the preservation of land for future generations,” said Chuck Eggert, founder of Pacific Natural Foods. “As the only brand partner with dairies in the co-op, we’re proud to have a true two-way supply partnership with an organization we respect.”
Organic Valley offered full membership in the co-operative after touring the facilities and conducting standard due diligence to ensure the quality of the farm operations and their pasture policies.
“We’ve long been impressed with Chuck’s investment to protect Oregon farmland, ensure the highest standards in animal welfare and develop new markets for organic products,” said George Siemon, founding farmer and C-E-I-E-I-O for Organic Valley. “It’s an honor to welcome his farms into the cooperative, supporting our efforts to ensure a more stable market for our members at a fair price.”
Requirements that must be met to be considered for the Organic Valley Cooperative of dairies include minimum production of 1,000 pounds of milk every other day, organic certification by a USDA-accredited certification agency, and a dedication to producing milk produced without antibiotics, hormones, synthetic pesticides and genetically engineered materials. Organic Valley’s pasture policy exceeds both federal and National Organic Program standards.
About Pacific Natural Foods
Founded in 1987 in Tualatin, Ore., Pacific Natural Foods is dedicated to inspiring people to know more about their food, where it comes from and how it’s grown by delivering delicious, all-natural and organic foods made with respect for land, animals and people. Pacific Natural Foods offers a wide variety of all natural and organic food and beverages including soups, broths, non-dairy beverages and pot pies. The company’s products are sold throughout the U.S. and Canada in mainstream grocery and natural food stores. For more information, visit www.pacificfoods.com .
Organic Valley: Independent and Farmer-Owned
Organic Valley is America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents 1,687 farmers in 35 states and three Canadian provinces, and achieved $715 million in 2011 sales. Focused on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. With its regional model, milk is produced, bottled and distributed right in the region where it is farmed to ensure fewer miles from farm to table and to support our local economies. The same farmers who produce for Organic Valley also produce a full range of delicious organic meat under the Organic Prairie label. For further information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop , www.organicprairie.coop and the cooperative’s farmer website, www.farmers.coop . Organic Valley is also on Twitter @OrganicValley and Facebook www.facebook.com/OrganicValley .
Source: Pacific Natural Foods