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    Product Name 365 organic (Whole Foods)
    Rating (4)          Whole Foods 365 Organic

    Location Austin, TX
    Products Fluid milk products
    Market Area Nationwide
    Web Site http://wholefoods.com/

    It is impressive that over 90% of all name-brand organic dairy marketers fully participated in the Cornucopia research study permitting their customers to understand how their products are produced. Unfortunately, 0% of private-label marketers (store brands) were initially willing to participate. Whole Foods Market should be applauded as the first retailer willing to be transparent with their private-label products. This is a high ethical standard that consumers should expect from organizations wanting to participate in this industry.

    Whole Foods has been diligent in their efforts to secure a source for their organic milk that is of high integrity and comes from family farmers, not industrial-scale factory-farms where most of their competitors (Trader Joe's, Wal-Mart, Costco, among others) are procuring all or some of their "organic" milk. Whole Foods Market writes:

    “Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America’s first national certified organic grocer. The company’s line of 365 Organic Everyday Value organic milk is available in whole, fat free, 1 percent and 2 percent varieties.  The milk is produced and distributed regionally throughout the United States as close as possible to the communities in which it is sold.  It comes from a cooperative of organic family farmers dedicated to pasture-based dairy production and to preserving and expanding family farming as a way of life and a viable system of production. 

    Whole Foods Market is highly selective about the products it sells, dedicated to strict product quality standards, and committed to supporting environmentally friendly agricultural and production methods.  All products are free of artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives or hydrogenated fats. The company is proud to offer an extensive variety of organic milk and dairy products in addition to the wide array of organic offerings throughout its more than 185 stores in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.”

     

    Criteria Points Comments
    Ownership Structure 60 Investor-owned
    Milk Supply 70 Milk of integrity
    Disclosure of Information for Verification 100 Full and open disclosure
    Certifier farms 100 Most OTCO
    Certifier processing 75 QAI
    Cows on pasture time/acreage provided 100 Strong/enforced cooperative policy
    Health and longevity of cows 100 Very low cull rate
    Replacement animals only from organic farms 75 Organic animals purchased/minority conventional
    Antibiotics used on young cattle 100 Never
    Reproductive hormones used 100 Never
    Farm support oversight 90 All dairies and visited regularly by staff
    Outside dairy ingredients purchased 100 None
    TOTAL SCORE 1070 FOUR COWS (excellent)