Well, I couldn’t believe it… I felt like I was being transported “back to the future” with my phone call. Am I on candid camera or what?
It all started with a shopping trip to Graul’s Supermarket in St. Michaels. I purchased a tub of yogurt that seemed like a more local brand. I am trying to limit sodium to reduce blood pressure, and the yogurt didn’t show the amount of sodium on the label. So I decided to call the number shown on the label to get more info from the company that made the yogurt.
Turns out I ended up speaking right to the farmer who produces the yogurt! His phone and address is right on the label! He gave me a detailed lesson on how they make the yogurt and the special cows used that produce less milk but of higher quality. I was even invited out to see his farm.
Sensing I was talking to an old-fashioned “purist” in agriculture, my wife and I took him up on the offer and drove the 25-30 minutes to Federalsburg where his farm is located. The farmer introduced us to the cows (by name) , and showed us how the milking machines deliver the milk right from the specially grown grass into a stainless steel vat that makes the yogurt. No exposure to any outside contaminants. His farm is spotless, and he also produces some knock-out ice cream as well. And, he will DELIVER to your doorstep!
These days, when most companies direct you to their website, so they don’t have to interact with the public (hate those phone menus!), it was really refreshing to talk directly to the producer of the product. I felt like I was dealing with someone from somewhere in the past – the way things used to be! He has a real passion for the purity of the product he is producing. I don’t think I am out of line in sharing this gentleman’s contact info – after all, it is on his packages!
His name is Bob Miller, and the farm is Nice Farms Creamery (his grandfather, who started the farm was named “Nice”). His number is 410-829-4456 (also on the yogurt) if you care to contact him directly. He is extremely knowledgeable on the history of the cows and on the development of his products.
Neal Grunstra, PhD
St. Michaels
Lois Hamilton says
fascinating, thx for the info.