Down to Earth is not only dedicated to good health and protecting the environment, we’re also passionate about animal welfare! Down to Earth is committed to our value statement: “The single most important thing an individual can do for their health, for the environment, and for the sake of the innocent animals, is to adopt a plant-based vegetarian diet.” That’s why none of the products in our stores contain meat, fish, eggs, gelatin, or any ingredients that are derived from slaughtered animals.
We recently reached out to our dairy product suppliers to find out about their animal welfare standards. Many of the dairy brands that you can find in our refrigerated section make exceptional efforts to ensure that the farm animals in their care are nurtured and treated right. If animal welfare is important to you, choose one of these brands on your next shopping trip to support their efforts!
a2 Milk
At a2 Milk, they love their cows and treat each of them like a V.I.C. (Very Important Cow). The farms they partner with in the United States are Validus certified for animal welfare. The Animal Welfare Review Certification by Validus is awarded to farms that follow specific guidelines concerning the ways and conditions in which animals are raised. The humane treatment of their cows is of the utmost importance to a2 Milk. After all, they’re an essential part of the team! From a2 Milk’s recyclable cartons to their low-waste packaging commitment, they work to consider their impact on the environment every step of the way.
Alexandre Family
Alexandre Family Farm is Certified Humane and uses compassionate animal health practices. They love their animals and treat them with great care and respect. The standards for a Certified Humane dairy production are very strict, and they ensure that cows have access to fresh water, shelter, and plenty of space to graze. Alexandre Family Farms milk is also certified organic, and they were the first dairy farm in the U.S. to be certified Regenerative Organic! This means they use farming practices proven by third-party certifiers to improve soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.
Clover Sonoma
In 2000, Clover Sonoma became the first dairy company in the U.S. to be certified by American Humane Certified for their animal welfare program. This means that the Clover Sonoma family farms produce premium dairy through sustainable farming practices and the loving care and treatment of their animals. They strictly adhere to these practices: zero tolerance of animal abuse, a safe environment for each animal, extensive employee training, a herd health plan overseen by a veterinarian/nutritionist, and annual farm audits. For Clover Sonoma, regenerative farming is a key component of their organic process. With 100% of their organic dairies using regenerative agriculture practices such as no-till farming, rotational grazing, and continuous vegetative cover, they’re ensuring the land, soil, and water are protected for generations to come.
Meyenberg
Since 1934, Meyenberg has been the #1 goat milk brand. Not only do they make high quality products, but they also make sure their goats receive high quality care! Meyenberg works closely with 25 dairies – each one Certified Humane Raised & Handled - to bring you the best tasting goat milk from well cared-for, healthy goats. Meyenberg goats are fed a balanced diet of hay and grain with plenty of fresh water. When natural vegetation is around, the goats can browse and enjoy. Meyenberg also uses 100% renewable energy at their creamery.
Redwood Hill and Green Valley Lactose Free
Redwood Hill is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare. All their milk comes from Certified Humane farms owned by families who take pride in being stewards of their land and their herds. Simply put, they love their goats! Their animals are raised in an environment of mutual love and respect, free to be their happy, sassy, hilarious selves. Five different family farms supply Redwood Hill with goat milk, and they all agree that well-loved goats produce the best milk—and the best milk makes the most delicious yogurt. Redwood Hill makes Green Valley Lactose Free products, with the same great standards.
Other Brands
Unfortunately, other dairy brands that we carry in our stores may not have these stringent animal welfare standards yet, but we have encouraged them to take this extra step for the wellbeing of the cows and goats on their farms.