Champlain Valley Dairy
Rating | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Farm/Brand Headquarters | Middlebury, VT |
Products | Fluid milk |
Website | cvcream.com |
Market Area | Northeast |
Total Score | 790 |
Cornucopia’s investigations show that this brand does not source from “factory dairy”, and appears to support family-scale production. However, partial scores have been given due to incomplete information. This brand may be a good choice, but we recommend that consumers do their homework and reach out to brand representatives to ensure it meets a consistent, high-integrity, organic standard.
Criteria | Points | Comments |
---|---|---|
TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) | 790 | 3-Cow Rating | Very Good ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() Farmstead dairies earn the most points. Corporations that have a history of skirting the organic rules receive the fewest. Ownership structure | 80 | Smaller brand, appears to have single-farm source |
![]() Farms that produce 100% of their milk receive the most points. Milk from "open market" or known confinement dairies receive the fewest. Milk Supply | 80 | Investigation shows supply is from family scale farm(s) |
![]() 100% organic farms receive the most points. Split operations with conventional dairy on the same property receive the fewest. Organic Production | 100 | Appears to only have organic products |
![]() Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification | 0 | Did not participate |
![]() Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier. Organic Certification | 100 | VOF |
![]() 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 | Unknown |
![]() 100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards Grass-fed | 80 | Exceeds minimum standards; markets 100% grassfed |
![]() No points are given for this but the information may be useful to certain consumers looking to avoid soy. Soy Free Ration? | No answer. Soy is likely used in feed. | |
![]() Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption. Pasture | 80 | Likely exceeds minimum standard |
![]() One time/day receives the most points. Two times per day is standard. Times Milked | 50 | Likely twice a day (standard) |
![]() Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points. Cull/death Rate | 0 | No answer |
![]() Farms with closed herds receive the most points. Farms that sell organic calves and buy conventional replacements receive the fewest. Replacements | 0 | No answer |
![]() Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves | 0 | No answer |
![]() 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 antibiotics used |
![]() No hormones is the standard, however some farms do use oxytocin for therapeutic purposes. Hormone Usage | 50 | Hormones may be used therapeutically |
![]() Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines. Farm Support | 70 | Sourced from family-scale farm that is on-site |
![]() 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 | 0 | No answer |
![]() 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 | 0 | None |