Horizon announced that all of its quart and 96-ounce jug organic milk products sold in New York now feature the Pride of New York label, letting consumers know the milk is sourced from the region, including its hundreds of farmers across the state. The Pride of New York program, sponsored by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, promotes and supports agricultural products grown and processed in New York and provides an opportunity for the state’s residents to easily purchase products that have been verified as local.
Horizon’s participation in the Pride of New York program complements its commitment to local consumers, family farmers and the state, where it was the first national organic dairy brand in 1998. Today, Horizon partners with 281 active and transitioning organic dairy farmers, 40 of whom started producing milk for Horizon in 2010. Horizon’s New York family farms range in size from seven to 475 milking cows and represent more than 50 percent of the state’s organic farmers, including the following:
• Eklund Farms. A fourth-generation dairy farm in Stamford, New York, in the Catskills, Eklund Farms is run by Bill Eklund and his two sons who milk 400 cows on 2,200 acres. The Eklunds have been shipping to Horizon since 2000.
• Stoneyridge Dairy. Ron Franklin Sr. and Ron Franklin Jr. milk 50 cows at Stoneyridge Dairy in Bliss, New York. The Franklins have been instrumental in helping other farmers convert to organic. In 2009, they received the Horizon Organic Producer Education (HOPE) Award, which recognizes farmers who create positive change in their communities by practicing and serving as a model for organic agriculture. They were certified organic and started shipping milk to Horizon in 1999.
• Katmoon Hollow Farm. Robert Kathmann is the third generation in his family to run the dairy farm in Delhi, New York, where he milks 40 cows on 260 acres of pasture. He has farmed organically for more than 15 years and was among the first New York farmers who started providing milk to Horizon in 1998.
“Our family farmers are the heart of Horizon, especially in New York where we’re proud to work with farmers who are committed to providing the highest quality organic milk for local families,” said Mike Ferry, president of Horizon. “Our continued partnership with family farmers throughout the state and our participation in the Pride of New York program also gives local residents the opportunity to support local farmers by purchasing Horizon organic milk with the Pride of New York label.”
Horizon supports a variety of local organic farming associations, including the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York. Additionally, Horizon milk is processed at two New York-based plants, Mountainside Farms and Steuben Foods, which has been bottling Horizon milk for 14 years. Horizon organic milk products can be found in local supermarkets and natural food stores in New York and across the country. PD
—From Digital Journal
