As long as we live in a socialist state where milk prices are fixed (forcing us to pay more than double what we paid for milk in Chicago), we figure we might as well buy direct from the local dairy! The kids and I actually think it’s pretty cool to get our milk in glass containers, and Tommy’s always hopeful that I’ll break down and let him get an ice cream sandwich when we go in to trade in our empty jars for new ones.
No raw milk though I assume. 🙂
Don’t worry, Mariel–we are staunch believers in modern science and the health benefits of pasteurization (and the documented health risks of raw milk). We made sure Meyer Dairy milk was pasteurized before we started buying it! =)
I was just going to make a raw milk comment. We are actually thinking more and more about raw milk. Ah… the dietary journey we are on. It’s never ending.
Kristen–you should totally check out my Uncle Walt’s book
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Drink-Be-Healthy-Harvard/dp/0743223225
as you guys are figuring out your nutritional philosophy! He’s a big fan of whole grains and healthy fats (olive oil and nuts), and I think you guys generally agree with his poltical/philosophical premises, so you would probably find it interesting. Uncle Walt actually advises adults to drink a LOT less milk than the USDA food pyramid recommendations, so couple that with having to go off dairy while nursing both kiddos, and I rarely drink milk anymore. Don’t ask me to give up cheese pizza anytime soon, though! =)
On the raw milk front, you should really take a look at the number of raw milk outbreaks in the United States each year. Even though raw milk is a very small percentage of total milk consumption (1%-3%), it ends up as a very high number of outbreaks (at least a dozen identified just this year) and illnesses (at least 67 this year, about 70% of milk-related illness), with illnesses ranging from Campylobacter to E. coli to Salmonella. For kids or pregnant women in particular, it’s not good.
I thought $4 for a half gallon was bad. I guess I am glad I am in Chicago and not Pennsylvania.
I am glad you aren’t on the raw milk train, Emily. It is the latest fad with many of my South Bend friends. I think it is completely crazy! I hardly ever drink milk…aside from in my coffee and tea. We buy milk from Meijer and all of the Meijer brand milk is hormone/antibiotic free and all natural which is really nice. Aidan has cut way down on his milk consumption too. We eat lots of nuts and nut butters and plenty of olive oil. How fun to get milk in the glass bottles! 🙂