Sustainable Farming-cheese and dairy products

Flat Creek Lodge Dairy

A growing trend in America is to know where the food you eat comes from. To that end sustainable agriculture is on an ever growing number of minds these days. So what exactly do these words mean?
 

The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service says that sustainable farming is the process of growing food and raising animals that meet environmental, economic, and social objectives simultaneously. Environmentally sound agriculture is nature-based rather than factory-based. Economic sustainability depends on profitable enterprises, sound financial planning, proactive marketing, and risk management. Social sustainability results from making decisions with the farm families and the larger community about the quality of life as a value and a goal.
 

This article focuses on the growing market for artisanal cheeses and dairy products made here in Georgia from farms that excel in sustainable farming.

Flat Creek Lodge Dairy

Located just three hours southeast of Atlanta in Swainsboro, Georgia, the Flat Creek Lodge Dairy is one such enterprise making award winning cheeses. They specialize in making artisanal cow and sheep’s milk cheeses. The Flat Creek Lodge Dairy features an all-Jersey cow herd and nearly 100 sheep.
 

The dairy is proud to announce the hiring of their new head cheese maker, Keith Blok  and his plans include continuing to create cheeses from both cow and sheep milk as well as blending the two. Currently the dairy specializes in Leiden, a traditional Dutch cheese, spiced with cumin,as well as  Blue Farmhouse, an American original bandage wrapped blue cheese, a natural rind cheddar and an Aztec cheddar, which is a  milled curd Cheddar layered with Guajillo Chile and Cocoa. Look for these cheeses in Atlanta at Sawicki’s, Star Provisions and Whole Foods.
 

Atlanta Fresh Artisan Creamery

The Atlanta Fresh Artisan Creamery located in Atlanta says the farm to table philosophy is one they totally abide by in their commitment to find the highest quality local dairy farms  and using their milk to provide the consumer with the freshest and best yogurt and fresh cheese products available.
 

A specialty is their fresh whole milk mozzarella which is made from a recipe handed down from generations of Italian mozzarella makers. This recipe and technique was taught to them by one of the most famous artisan cheese makers in Vermont. The richness and creamy texture in combination with the freshness and quality of the milk combine for an unforgettable cheese tasting experience. Their products can be purchased at Whole Foods and Krogers at 3959-A La Vista Rd.
 

Westside Creamery

Westside Creamery churns small batch artisanal ice cream and sorbet that is hand-crafted using the most virtuous ingredients we can find. Each small batch of our "farm to bowl" ice cream is made using fruits, vegetables, and herbs plucked from local farms, and milk generously provided by Georgia dairy cows. All this, so that a dose of our luxurious frozen stuff -- be it scooped into a cup, stuffed in a cone, or sandwiched between homemade cookies -- satisfies not just your inner truck-chasing child, but your grown-up, earth-friendly locavore too. Locavores are people who make a serious effort to understand where their food comes from, and then make the effort to eat locally produced food as much as possible.

The Westside Creamery has begun to make small batches of artisan ice cream made from local cow's milk, fruits, veggies, and herbs. They're offering flavors like: Lemon Buttermilk Sorbet and Mint Sweet Tea, as well as varieties like Roasted Black Grape & Olive Oil and Milk Chocolate Stout, made with homebrewed beer and eggs. These ice creams are available at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Mercantile.

The cornerstone of sustainable farming is to produce the highest quality foodstuffs; and, the aforementioned dairies and creameries do just that.

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