Raw Organic Milk from Amish? (Allentown, Scranton: home, buying, school)

[colorfulchic83]

Hi all,
Does anyone know anywhere in the Wilkes-Barre area where I can buy raw, organic milk, and other dairy products from the Amish. If the Amish are too far, I'll settle for others, but I find their farming practices to be the best. They used to come down to Edwardsville fleamarket, and my kids love their milk, cheese, and butter. I'm tired of buying $7 organic milk from grocery stores. It really is not the best tasting, or freshest, and has been heavily processed. Those safe, old-school farming practices play a huge part in their tasty cow's milk.
If I have to travel I will, so post any Amish farms/stands that sell to public even as far as Lehigh Valley.
I just hope they are closer.
Thanks in advance.

[Riverside4ever]

The Hometown market in Hometown.. Its only open Wed's .... Its a big flea Market type of place ..

[Wells5]

The Schlittler Farm in Springbrook Township just east of Scranton. Telephone number is 570 842 1743. Call ahead to see if raw milk is available. As a personal aside, I would not drink raw milk.

[MatildaLoo]

In the Lehigh Valley, you can check out Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market - Allentown, Pennsylvania

Riverside, does Hometown Farmer's Market still have farmers there? I went this summer and there just seemed to be a few produce stands interspersed with tons of knock-off clothes, purses, etc. kind of like the flea market in Marshall's Creek

There's a cheese factory in Bradford County that is owned by Old Order Amish. It's called Leraysville Cheese Inc. Not sure if they sell raw milk but you could probably give them a call to see (800) 859-5196

FWIW, NEPA isn't really Amish country. You may find a few Mennonites and Amish here and there, but most Amish generally live in Central/South Central PA.

[colorfulchic83]

Thanks guys. It looks like I may have to travel.
I know there is lots of controversy about raw milk, but much of it is hype. I know people who can not drink "regular" milk but have no negative side effects with raw milk. As long as the farmers are clean & safe when bottling there should be no problem.
It really is delicious and so much healthier.

[mancat100]

Originally Posted by Wells5

The Schlittler Farm in Springbrook Township just east of Scranton. Telephone number is 570 842 1743. Call ahead to see if raw milk is available. As a personal aside, I would not drink raw milk.

Say Schlittler 10 times really fast and THAT's the reason to avoid raw milk.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by colorfulchic83

I know there is lots of controversy about raw milk, but much of it is hype.

It only takes once. Having said that do as you wish, just make sure if you're feeding that too anyone they know it's raw.

[fisheye]

My problem with raw milk or organics is that you don't have the control or oversight like you do with the big companies. Humans are human. Not every local farmer will clean the teat's and udder the same. The same can be said of organic gardeners. Most of the Amish/Mennonite farmers know exactly what they are doing and do a great job. I buy lettuce from them all the time – but I can rinse the lettuce off before consumption. You cannot rinse off raw milk.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by fisheye

My problem with raw milk or organics is that you don't have the control or oversight like you do with the big companies.

In this case you could have the most well intentioned farmer doing everything they can and still have bad milk. It's a risk and if you want to take it go right ahead. Personally I wouldn't turn it down but I wouldn't be willing to take that risk everyday either.

[karen_s]

I know there are Amish up near the SWB area, as my homebirth midwife used to travel up to serve them. The trick is to find them!

Since I'm not from your immediate area, I'll post the link I used to find the farm where I purchase milk:
Where Can I Find Real (Raw) Milk?

Here's the link to the farms with permits:
List of Producers with Raw Milk & Raw Milk Cheese Permits

We've been using raw milk exclusively at home since 2006. All of the farmers I've encountered do not mind lots of questions about their milking practices.

I buy here most of the year: Keepsake Farm | Taste the Difference!
I go to Klein Farms in Forks Township while keepsake is closed for the season.