Straus Family Creamery, renowned for its premium organic dairy products and commitment to sustainable organic farming, is proud to introduce its Organic Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program alongside new farm partnerships, marking a significant milestone in its 30-year legacy of environmental stewardship and organic dairy excellence. Founded by Albert Straus with a vision to establish a sustainable organic farming and food system that fosters environmental and economic resilience in rural farming communities, Straus Family Creamery is dedicated to sustaining family farms while prioritizing environmental conservation, local economies, and community well-being.
Organic Dairy Sustainability Incentive Program
In response to the pressing need for collective action to combat climate change and fortify the farming and food system, Straus Family Creamery has launched a pioneering practice-based incentive program, one of the first of its kind in the dairy industry. This program aims to assist its supplying organic dairy farms in achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
The incentives are linked to the adoption of on-farm climate solutions derived from Straus Family Creamery’s replicable carbon-neutral organic dairy farming model, designed to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. These incentives, disbursed monthly, are allocated to farms based on the implementation of qualifying practices, rather than through the purchase of offsets or post-practice results. In its inaugural year, the program has already awarded a total of $250,000 in incentives. Rooted in organic agriculture, which is inherently beneficial for the climate and promotes water and soil quality as well as biodiversity, each participating farm must adhere to the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program standards. Straus Family Creamery’s incentive program encourages the development and execution of:
- Carbon farm plans featuring regenerative land management practices to nurture healthy soil and sequester atmospheric carbon.
- Manure management practices aimed at reducing lagoon emissions by at least 80 percent, facilitated through small-scale anaerobic digesters and climate-smart manure management techniques such as composting.
- Transitioning away from fossil fuels through the electrification of on-farm vehicles powered by methane biogas captured from cow manure.
- Reduction of enteric methane emissions (commonly known as cow burps) through the use of certified organic feed additives such as red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis).
A recent report by the World Wildlife Fund titled “Reducing Greenhouse Gases with Incentives at the Farm: How companies are moving from setting climate targets to delivering on them” highlights Straus Family Creamery’s collaborative approach with its partner dairies, setting a new standard for the industry and reaffirming the Creamery’s steadfast commitment to environmental leadership.
Joseph Button, Vice President of Sustainability and Strategic Impact, emphasized the integral role of the network of organic dairy farms in advancing a sustainable organic dairy farming model and building a more resilient food system, stating, “We could not execute this program and our 2030 net carbon neutral goal without the mutual collaboration and innovation of our entire network of organic dairy farms. These farms are key stakeholders in helping us advance a sustainable organic dairy farm model and a more resilient food system.”
Strengthening the Sustainable Organic Farming Community
Amidst a backdrop of dwindling dairy farms nationwide, Straus Family Creamery remains steadfast in its commitment to reducing climate impact while supporting the economic viability of sustainable organic dairy farming. The company recently expanded its supplier network to include three new farms: Moretti Family Farm (joined July 2023), Robert McClelland Dairy (joined November 2023), and Nosecchi Family Dairy (joined January 2024). These additions underscore the Creamery’s dedication to revitalizing rural communities and collaborating on climate solutions. Drawing inspiration from Founder Albert Straus’ own Straus Dairy Farm, Straus Family Creamery continues to lead by example, inspiring a new era of sustainable organic dairy farming.
Albert Straus, founder of Straus Family Creamery, acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers in navigating climate uncertainties and rising operational costs while striving for economic viability, stating, “Each year, farmers must farm with challenging climate conditions, increased expenses, and operating costs while needing to be economically viable. We want to support farmers, their stewardship of the land, and animal welfare, and help them innovate. That’s why we are creating a carbon-neutral organic dairy farming model that enables these farms to succeed to the next generation.”
A History of Environmental Leadership
As the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary, it reflects on its pioneering achievements, including becoming the first 100 percent certified organic creamery in the United States in 1994, the first non-GMO project-verified creamery in North America in 2010, and the first creamery globally to receive TRUE® Zero Waste Certification. Additionally, in January 2024, the Creamery launched a line of organic low-fat kefirs, with the organic kefir blueberry being nominated as a finalist for the NEXTY Award for Best New Certified Organic Product.
For those attending the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, the Straus Family Creamery team invites you to sample the organic kefir at the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace tent on Wednesday, March 13, from 11 am to 4 pm, showcasing their continued commitment to innovation and excellence in organic dairy products.
