Vendor Spotlight: The Farmers' Creamery

In the Simply Fresh kitchen, we believe a dish is only as good as its ingredients. That’s why we're partnered with Farmers’ Creamery to bring a rich, local touch to our signature recipes. You’ll find their premium dairy at the heart of our most popular dishes—from our cream-based soups to our Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and in each made-to-order milkshake.

As we were exploring options for a new line of dairy products, we were determined to find something that reflected our mission as a store: clean ingredients, transparent production, and quality products. The Farmers' Creamery fit that bill perfectly. We currently carry the full Farmers' Creamery dairy collection, delivered fresh every week: milk, half & half, heavy cream, ice cream, yogurt smoothies, and more!

Farmers' Creamery Whole Milk, shown here in a half gallon bottle.

The Farmers' Creamery products come from Amish-raised cows that are 100% grass-fed. These cows produce A2 milk, which is then pasteurized through low-temperature, long-time vat pasteurization and bottled in glass. 

But why do those things actually matter? 

The Farmers’ Creamery is owned and operated by a local Amish co-op in Mio, Michigan. On Amish farms, production tends to happen on a smaller scale, which means there’s more hands-on care and a focus on traditional farming methods rather than industrial-scale production.

In this case, that traditional farming means that the cows are pasture-raised and grass-fed. They’re afforded space to graze and are 100% grass-fed. Not to mention that milk from grass-fed cows tends to have slightly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional milk. Some customers even notice a richer, fuller flavor.

All milk contains a protein called beta-casein, and there are two common types: A1 and A2. Most conventional milk contains both, but the cows at Farmers’ Creamery only produce the A2 type.

Some people who feel mild digestive discomfort after drinking regular milk report that A2 milk feels easier on their stomach. That doesn’t necessarily pose a remedy for those who are lactose intolerant or have dairy allergies, but for some customers, that protein difference makes a noticeable impact. 

The low-temperature long-time pasteurization gets rid of any harmful pathogens while preserving the beneficial enzymes and natural flavor. This process is what allows the cream in non-homogenized milk to rise to the top, creating that thick layer of cream you'll find in a Farmers' Creamery glass bottle.

And yes, the glass bottles do make a difference! Beyond the nostalgia factor, glass keeps milk cold and fresh without absorbing flavors. It’s reusable and recyclable, too– so make sure to bring your bottles back for the $2 bottle deposit! 

Whether you're looking for whole milk, half and half, heavy cream, or chocolate milk, the Farmers' Creamery has you covered!

Get your bottle in store or online today!