Alpine Heritage Creamery
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Paradise, PA |
| Products | Cheese |
| Website | www.alpineheritagecreamery.com |
| Market Area | PA, FL, web sales |
| Total Score | 1590 |
They write: “Here at Alpine Heritage Creamery we use only raw organic milk from 100% grass fed cows. Our herd is currently 100% A2-A2. The cows are part of the family here on the farm and we care for them as such. With each of them receiving a personal name at birth they quickly learn that life is enjoyable and there is so much to do in the lifetime of a cow.
Things such as exploring every corner of these vast luscious meadows with their friends and playing their “calf tag” games immediately become a part of their daily routine. They truly are a happy family.
The cows come into the barn twice a day for milking and that is the milk we use to make our cheese. With the creamery being located here on the farm we have full control over the process beginning from the cows’ diet, the milking process and then the producing and ripening of a healthy, delicious cheese that will always have you coming back for more!
The ingredients for all our cheeses are simple: Milk, cheese cultures, traditional rennet and pure salt. We use organic seasonings for the flavored cheeses.”
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) | 1590 | 5-Cow Rating | Top-Rated |
Farmstead dairies earn the most points. Corporations that have a history of skirting the organic rules receive the fewest. Ownership structure | 100 | Family-owned farm |
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Farms that produce 100% of their milk receive the most points. Milk from "open market" or known confinement dairies receive the fewest. Milk Supply | 100 | Single farm |
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100% organic farms receive the most points. Split operations with conventional dairy on the same property receive the fewest. Organic Production | 70 | Markets both organic and conventional |
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Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification | 100 | Full disclosure |
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Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier. Organic Certification | 85 | PCO |
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Animal Welfare Approved and Biodynamic certifications receive the most bonus points. Producers are not penalized for not having additional certifications beyond organic. Other Labels/Standards | 0 | None |
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100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards Grass-fed | 90 | 100% grass fed |
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No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy. Soy Free Ration? | Yes | |
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Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption. Pasture | 100 | Excellent pasture compliance |
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One time/day receives the most points. Two times per day is standard. Times Milked | 90 | Two times a day (standard protocol on legitimate organic dairies) |
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Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points. Cull/death Rate | 100 | Under 10% |
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Farms with closed herds receive the most points. Farms that sell organic calves and buy conventional replacements receive the fewest. Replacements | 100 | Closed herd |
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Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves | 100 | Raised with nurse cows for 6-9 mos. |
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Farms that prohibit antibiotics receive the most points. Farms that allow young stock to receive antibiotics (under one year), receive the fewest.
Antibiotic Use | 100 | No antibiotic use |
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No hormones is the standard, however some farms do use oxytocin for therapeutic purposes. Hormone Usage | 100 | No hormones used |
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Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines. Farm Support | 90 | Personnel visit regularly |
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All ingredients sourced from inside the organization or on the farm receives the highest points. Ingredients from confinement factory farms and/or imported ingredients receive the fewest. Procurement of Ingredients | 90 | Purchase cheese cultures |
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Various levels of extra credit given for 1) providing full organic systems plan, 2) providing details on all farms (multi-farm brands, details on largest five required), and 3) sourcing feed on-farm or domestically. Extra Credit | 175 | Very transparent -- submitted OSP; 100% grass fed and produces all feed on-farm |
