Straus Family Creamery Advances Carbon Neutral Goals with New Organic Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program

Company expands network of organic dairy farms to strengthen the future of sustainable organic dairy farming

PETALUMA, California, February 29, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Straus Family Creamery, known for its premium, minimally processed organic dairy products and leadership in sustainable organic agriculture, announces its new Organic Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program and new agricultural partnerships as it celebrates a 30-year legacy of environmental stewardship and organic dairy products.

Driven by founder Albert Straus’ vision to create a sustainable organic agriculture and food system that supports environmental and economic resilience in rural farming communities, Straus Family Creamery’s mission and values ​​focus on preserving family farms while protecting the environment, local economies and populations. who live and work in the community.

New Organic Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program

Recognizing the urgent need for collective action to reduce climate change and strengthen the agriculture and food system, Straus Family Creamery’s groundbreaking practice-based incentive program – which is one of the first of its kind from a dairy processor – helps its organic dairy farm supplier achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

The incentives are linked to the implementation of on-farm climate solutions from Straus Family Creamery’s carbon-neutral, repeatable organic dairy production model, which will reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions to zero and contribute to advance the company’s mission. Incentives are paid monthly and awarded to farms based on the implementation of qualified practices, not through the purchase of offsets or based on post-practice results. In the first year, the program paid out a total of $250,000 in incentives. The financial incentive program is anchored in organic farming, which is better for the climate and improves water quality, soil quality and biodiversity. Each farm must adhere to the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program. The Straus Family Creamery Incentive Program encourages the development and implementation of:

The story continues

A recent World Wildlife Fund report, “Reducing Greenhouse Gases with On-Farm Incentives: How Businesses Are Moving From Setting Climate Goals to Achieving Them,” describes the collaborative approach of the Creamery with its partner dairies. This success sets a new standard in the industry while highlighting Straus Family Creamery’s unwavering commitment to environmental leadership.

“We could not deliver on this program and our goal of net carbon neutrality by 2030 without the mutual collaboration and innovation of our entire network of organic dairy farms. These farms are key stakeholders helping us advance a sustainable organic dairy farm model and a more resilient food system. ” said Joseph Button, vice president of sustainability and strategic impact.

Strengthening the Sustainable Organic Agriculture Community

According to the USDA’s new 2022 Agricultural Census report released this month, the number of U.S. dairy farms fell from 39,303 in 2017 to 24,082 in 2022. Yet as the nation’s dairy farms continue from collapsing, Straus Family Creamery continues to employ practices that reduce climate impact while simultaneously helping to maintain the economic viability of sustainable organic dairy farming.

The company recently expanded its supplier group to accommodate three new farms: Moretti Family Farm (joining July 2023), Robert McClelland Dairy (joining November 2023), and Nosecchi Family Dairy (joining January 2024). These additions highlight the Creamery’s commitment to the revitalization of rural communities and the collaborative development of climate solutions. With founder Albert Straus’ Straus Dairy Farm as a model, the Straus Family Creamery continues to lead by example, inspiring a new era of sustainable organic dairy production.

“Every year, farmers must work in harsh weather conditions, with increased expenses and operating costs, while remaining economically viable,” said Albert Straus, founder of Straus Family Creamery. “We want to support farmers, their land management and animal welfare, and help them innovate. That’s why we’re creating a carbon-neutral organic dairy production model that allows these farms to succeed well into the next generation.

A story of good business management

As the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, it looks back on pioneering milestones including becoming the first 100% organic certified creamery in the United States in 1994, the first non-GMO certified creamery in North America in 2010 and the first creamery of the world to receive TRUE^® Zero Waste Certification. New in January 2024, a range of low-fat organic kefirs.

Organic Blueberry Kefir is a finalist for the NEXTY Award for Best New Certified Organic Product. For those attending Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA, look for the Straus Family Creamery team to sample organic kefir under the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace tent on Wednesday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About Straus Family Creamery

Based in Petaluma, California, Straus Family Creamery is a certified organic creamery in Northern California that produces premium products with high-quality organic milk and ingredients. Focusing on minimal processing for superior taste and nutritional integrity, Straus Family Creamery offers milk, cream, kefir, yogurt, ice cream, butter, sour cream and a variety of products wholesale and specialty dairy products, sold in the western United States. Its organic yogurts, butters and ice creams are available in large parts of the country. Products can be found through the company’s store locator. Straus organic dairy products are made with organic milk supplied by family farms in Marin and Sonoma counties, including Straus Dairy Farm, which was the first certified organic dairy farm west of the Mississippi River. Straus Family Creamery, the first 100 percent certified organic creamery in the United States, when it launched in 1994, continues to make business decisions based on its mission. For over 30 years, Straus Family Creamery has led the way in transforming an agricultural and food system and creating a repeatable model while remaining focused on the core of organic farming. Organic farming is, and always has been, regenerative. Straus Family Creamery was founded by Albert Straus, a second-generation dairy farmer and climate action pioneer whose Straus Dairy Farm is currently on track to implement a carbon-neutral organic dairy farming model, considered as the first of its kind. Straus Family Creamery is collaborating and innovating with its supplier dairy farms to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Straus Family Creamery’s Organic Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program launched in 2023. The family business is collaborating and championing local organic dairy producers; farms use 100% organic practices and regenerate soil through carbon farming. Learn more about the Straus difference at StrausFamilyCreamery.com.

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Contacts

Straus Family Creamery
Shereen Mahnami, Director of Communications
707.776.2887 ext. 2149
shereen@strausmilk.com

Postcard communications
Mindy Fox
mindy@postcardpr.com