Stonyfield Farms (Lactalis)
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Londonderry, NH |
| Products | Cream, fluid milk, frozen yogurt, yogurt |
| Website | www.stonyfield.com |
| Market Area | Nationwide |
| Total Score | 1315 |
They write: “As the leading organic yogurt maker, Stonyfield takes care with everything it puts into its yogurts and everything it keeps out. By saying no to toxic persistent pesticides, artificial hormones, antibiotics and GMOs, Stonyfield has been saying yes to delicious, healthy food for more than 30 years. With their direct milk supply program, Stonyfield helps to grow the number of organic dairy farms in New England – and through their support of the Wolfe’s Neck Dairy Farmer training program, Stonyfield works to train the next generation of organic farmers. To learn more about all Stonyfield products and more, visit www.Stonyfield.com.”
In 2017 the french dairy giant Groupe Danone announced it would be selling Stonyfield to family-owned French dairy Lactalis. The divestiture of Stonyfield by its longtime parent, Groupe Dannon US, came after a formal antitrust challenge after Danone announced their acquisition of WhiteWave Foods which controlled the Horizon and Wallaby organic brands.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1600 plus extra credit) | 1315 | 4-Cow Rating | Excellent |
Farmstead dairies earn the most points. Corporations that have a history of skirting the organic rules receive the fewest. Ownership structure | 70 | Corporate-owned brand operating independently. Good track record. |
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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 | 85 | Primarily sourced from milk cooperative composed mostly of family farms. |
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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 | 100 | Only markets certified organic products |
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Farms that completed the survey in detail received the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification | 95 | Top transparency for large corporate brand. |
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Points determined by integrity of the brand’s organic certifier. Organic Certification | 75 | Products certified by Quality Assurance International (QAI); farm certifier varies. |
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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 | 40 | Non-GMO Project verified products |
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100% grass-fed with independent verification of standards Grass-fed | 55 | Exceeds minimum USDA standards for grazing |
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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? | No, though their 100% grassfed products are soy-free | |
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Sliding scale based on policies, enforcement, acreage/cow, days/year on pasture, and permissible exemption. Pasture | 75 | Good pasture compliance in the majority of farms. |
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One time/day receives the most points. Two times per day is standard. Times Milked | 90 | Most daries milk twice a day (standard) |
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Lower cull rate scores better, with under 10% receiving the most points. Cull/death Rate | 75 | Moderate cull rate and low death rate |
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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 | Most farms are closed herd or purchase organic replacement animals. |
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Standard practice is removing calves shortly after birth, with extra points given for unique ways of managing calves
Calves | 75 | Most calves removed shortly after birth (standard practice); some farms use nurse cows or keep calves with mothers for a few days. |
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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 hormone use |
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Farmstead dairies (owner lives on-site) receive the most points. Fewer points are given as oversight declines. Farm Support | 90 | Corporation that sets standards and has a staff and third party audits that visits farms 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 | Outside ingredients from trusted sources |
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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 | 0 | None |
