In 2023, our two Vince’s@Home video hosts took a tour of Sheldon Creek Dairy Farm. It was a popular video, and told a farm-to-table story about a great local product we carry in our stores.
The dairy is located in Loretto, Ontario, not far from our Tottenham location. Here, Giancarlo and Mallory met with Marianne Edward, their manager of operations.
The family farm was purchased in 1953, and in 2012 they opened Sheldon Creek Dairy, where milk from their purebred Holsteins is turned into yogurt, kefir, 45% cream, and of course, whole milk. They even produce flavoured milks like chocolate, strawberry, and “S’Mores”.
According to Marianne, the cream rises to the top on their milk because it is non-homogenized and minimally pasteurized at 72 degrees for 16 seconds. This keeps the nutrients intact and makes it easier to digest. Sheldon Creek’s whole milk is always over 4% butter fat, but ranges from 4% in summer to 4.5% in winter.
You may have recently heard about A2 milk. Studies have shown it can be easier to digest by those who have gastrointestinal problems with regular milk. Beta-casein makes up about 30 percent of the protein in cow’s milk, and A1 and A2 are two variants of beta-casein. Historically, cows produced milk that contained only A2, but after centuries of dairy farming the (naturally occurring) A1 mutation was introduced. A1 produces a peptide that can trigger the immune system in some people, and much of the milk in grocery stores contains mostly A1 proteins.
Sheldon Creek runs their A2 on a separate line, and on a separate day to ensure the two don’t mix.
All of Sheldon Creek’s milk is fresh, natural, minimally processed, and is antibiotic and hormone free – like all milk in Canada. The company notes that because their cows are like family members, and occasionally get sick, they sometimes need antibiotics. But when they do, all milk from that cow is disposed of for at least 60 days, and will tested until clear of any residual antibiotics.
Cows are pasture fed in spring and summer, and in the winter, get fed a grassy alfalfa hay which is grown on the farm – like all of their feed. The folks at Sheldon Creek know precisely what their cows are eating.
“There’s also something to be said about knowing your farmer,” said Marianne. “We don’t want to just be another milk on the shelf, we want to be part of the community. And there’s also a great reward to see your milk go from farm to table, and then hear about it from your customers.”
Next time you’re in one of our stores, pick up a bottle. If you had a chance to check out our video, I know that S’Mores latte will be top of mind!
— Neil
