- One of Three Jersey Cows at Meadowwood Organics
UPDATE: 4/3/2014
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I can’t believe how often I meet people in real life who tell me they did a search for “raw milk in Tacoma” and stumbled across this post! The raw milk scene has changed since I first wrote this post, and I’d love to share with you my NEW INFORMATION.
First of all, the Tacoma Food Coop is now open for business. They have EXCELLENT dairy options, including several different raw milk options for both cow milk and goat milk. Next time I visit, I will take a ton of pictures and create a new post dedicated to the Tacoma Coop’s current dairy options. Our favorite milk they carry is Blackjack Valley Farm’s raw cow milk, based out of Port Orchard, WA, which goes for approximately $5/half-gallon or $8/gallon.
In addition, Marlene’s has much better dairy options right now for both cow and goat raw milk.
I will try to keep this post up-to-date, but for the latest updates on raw milk sources, be sure to check out the newest comments below! And feel free to ask me any questions you may have!!
Thank you!
ORIGINAL POST:
Raw milk is milk that has been neither pasteurized nor homogenized. Mr. Wetzel and I want to drink raw milk from a local dairy for several reasons. We want milk from healthy cows that are well cared for. We want to support the local economy. We want fresh, tasty milk. We want the health benefits of drinking milk in its purest form.
For more technical information on raw milk, or to find leads on a dairy in your area, check out: Realmilk.com .
It is difficult to find a place to buy raw milk. Most small farmers who offer it don’t advertise very broadly, if at all. In order to find the farm where we now buy our milk, I asked around a lot until a lady who works at the CSA where we pick up our local veggies gave me the contact information for Meadowwood, LLC. This option works for us because it is only a 20 minute drive from where we meet for church on Sundays. Here are the options for milk I have found in my explorations for alternative milk options in the Tacoma, WA area:
MEADOWWOOD, LLC
http://meadowwoodorganics.com
20228 SE 400th St.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
Milk is sold in reusable glass jars. This is where Mr. Wetzel and I are now buying our milk. They offer a cowshare program which brings down the cost of the milk.
SEA BREEZE FARM
http://www.seabreezefarm.net/
17635 100th Ave SW
Vashon, WA 98070
Sea Breeze Farm has delicious milk. The biggest problem for Tacoma residents? They are on Vashon Island, a ferry ride away. If you live in King county, you can buy from Sea Breeze Farm at a handful of farmers markets in the Seattle area.
Cows from Sea Breeze Farm on Vashon Island
CHRISTIPAUL FARM, LLC
in Gig Harbor
Contact Chris Schlicht at (253) 884 7840
I have yet to visit this farm, but I earnestly want to. ChristiPaul Farm’s greatest attraction for me is the fact that whenever you buy milk, you receive milk from only one cow. Their milks are not mixed. This is an overwhelmingly idealistic thought for me, taking real milk to another level.
MARLENE’S NATURAL FOODS
http://www.marlenesmarket-deli.com/
2951 S. 38th St.
Tacoma, WA 98409
Marlene’s carries two raw milk options: cow milk from the Dungeness Valley Creamery and goat milk from the St. John Creamery, both in Washington. While Marlene’s is the closest retail spot, the milk is noticeably less fresh and flavorful than the milks we have purchased directly from the farm. Given the choice between Marlene’s raw milk and Golden Glen Creamery’s, I opt for the latter.
GOLDEN GLEN CREAMERY
http://www.goldenglencreamery.com/
Available at Top Foods in Tacoma, or through Spud Seattle’s delivery system.
Milk from the Golden Glen Creamery is pasteurized, but it is not homogenized. They make a variety of dairy products, including cheeses, butter and cream top milk. We save our glass bottles from Golden Glen because they are easier to pour from than the glass jars our milk comes in from Meadowwood, LLC.
Photo courtesy of Golden Glen’s Facebook Page
Do you have a raw milk testimonial? What resources for locating raw milk do you have to share?
By ekwetzel
2010-01-26