Dairy substitutes? Or, humane dairy products?

[Flaxbee]

I prefer soy milk, and have read in the Vegan/Vegetarian forum about a cheddar 'cheese' that everyone seems to like.

But what about yogurt? Butter? Cream cheese, and cheeses other than the above-mentioned cheddar?

I have no objection to the concept of dairy if the cows are treated with great care and attention and allowed to live well, bred with care, etc. You know, treated humanely and gently and well and with the respect they deserve. But as I strongly object to factory farming, and the way dairy cattle (as well as all the other animals) are treated, I have no choice but to look for substitutes and/or for products from farms that pride themselves on the care of their animals (and are independently verified as providing excellent care).

I believe (and if I'm wrong, correct me) that Stonyfield Farms is an ethical, humane company. So, if I'm right, yogurt is covered. If I'm wrong and it's just a great marketing gimmick, please let me know.

So, what about butter? Cheeses? Are there any sources for dairy-based products from well-raised, well-treated, gently-cared-for cows?

And if not, what are good substitutes?

(Cross-posting this in the Vegan/Vegetarian forum)

[Mopar151]

1. I would look for products produced on the farm

Or by dairy co-operatives. FWIW, Stonyfield does not own their cows. But' like many reputable producers in New England, their contracted farmers pledge to not use rGBH artifical hormones to boost milk production.

My family leases corn fields to McNamara Farm of Plainfield, NH. http://174.120.117.194/~springle/?page_id=26&category=12 Their "glass bottle" milk is the milk you remember as a child.

[Flaxbee]

10. I'm concerned with how the cows are treated --

I know I don't want all that hormone crap in MY body, but aside from not injecting the cows, what are their living conditions? If I can't verify that they're good, I won't buy the product.

I'm in an area where I can probably find local co-ops.

[flvegan]

2. No such thing as "humane" dairy products produced commercially.

Yeah, if you lived in a small, rural town and your neighbor had a few cows and would sell you milk/butter/etc you'd be doing pretty well. I'll spare you the details of rape racks and feeding the veal industry. Rather I'll suggest some of your requested substitutes.

Yogurt: I've heard/read that Silk makes a good one. Never tried it, but it seems to be the popular standard.

Cheese: Daiya. Sold in more and more health food stores each day. Or, it can be ordered over the net. Not just cheddar, either.

Butter: Earth Balance in my favorite.

Cream cheese and sour cream: Tofutti makes Better Than Cream Cheese and Sour Supreme. I LOVE Sour Supreme.

Lastly, dairy is at the top of the list of the worst shit you can put in your body. Pure garbage.

[Flaxbee]

8. Daiya is what I was trying to remember ...

thanks for the information. I do know, in a shuttered corner of my mind, the horrors of commercial farming. I try to keep those images at bay so I can sleep at night. And I do know that I won't be able to live with myself if I don't opt out entirely of factory farmed foods.

All of those substitutes sound great; I'll make a list and give them a try. Thanks :hi:

[Pool Hall Ace]

3. My favorites

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese - yummy, contains no butterfat, though I believe it does contain some partially hydrogenated fats

Tofutti Sour Supreme Better Than Sour Cream - tastes great, and also contains no milk, no cholesterol, no lactose, no butterfat, and no hydrogenated oil

Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread (Whipped) - extremely tasty, no animal products


Other than soy milk, I also like almond milk. Hemp milk is great, but can be pricey.

For cheeses, I like Daiya cheddar-style shreds. I've never purchased a good vegan cheese from a typical chain-type grocery store. You will most likely have to go to a crunchy store. :hi:

(cross-posted from veggie group)

[flvegan]

4. GMTA.

[Flaxbee]

9. thanks. There are a few crunchy stores

within about an hour or so.

I don't *need* any of the products above, I can live just fine w/o cheese, etc., but I do enjoy the taste so when I have an opportunity to buy substitutes, now I know what to look for!

[Pool Hall Ace]

5. Oh yes -- and flvegan's presence reminds me:

If you have a sweet tooth, Turtle Mountain Purely Decadent makes a dairy-free, lactose-free frozen dessert that can't be beat! :9

Now *this* is something that you could probably find in a typical grocery store.

[flvegan]

6. Good Lord, yes.

I can't keep it in my house, any of it lest I become Jabba the Hut's twin.

[Flaxbee]

11. hm. I'll keep an eye out for it!

Sounds too good to be true...

[handmade34]

7. I agree that most any commercial dairy

operation is not generally as humane as i think they should be. I would consider only very small family dairy operations as a good source of products. I have been to a few farms where the people really do care about and for the animals. This is one that I am familiar with and would definitely trust their products, http://www.butterworksfarm.com/

I used to co-manage a dairy farm and sold to Cabot which was awesome when it was still a small locally owned cooperative, not so much anymore, though I still like their cheese sometimes.

Check this out also: http://www.nodpa.com/

[Flaxbee]

12. thanks for the links, handmade34

I really appreciate it. You know whereof you speak!

[hippywife]

13. Organic Valley is a commercial brand

that would meet your criteria and they make all kinds of dairy products. Also, you should be able to find the humanely raised products locally by checking here: www.localharvest.org

Avoid soy that is not organic as it will more than likely be GM.

:hi: