Real Maine invites you to celebrate Maine Dairy Month in June. From a glass of fresh local milk to any number of products made with Maine milk and cream, there is a wealth of ways to enjoy and discover Maine dairy year-round.
Maine is home to farms that care for herds of dairy cows, goats, sheep, and even water buffalo, and our state boasts award-winning cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, and butter.
MAINE DAIRY PRODUCTS ARE ACCESSIBLE
Local milk and dairy products are some of the easiest-to-find foods in Maine. Always in season, you can find them in grocery stores, farm stores, ice cream parlors, cheese shops, and farmers’ markets. Maine dairy products are as varied as the farms from which they come. While the majority of Maine milk is sold as fluid milk, it is also found in many other delicious products.
IS THIS MILK FROM MAINE?
When it comes to milk, how do you know if you are getting Maine milk, besides buying it directly from the farm? It is easy when you check the plant code on the top of the jug or carton. Even “store brands” are often Maine milk. All milk bottled in Maine has a code that starts with the number 23.
The second two numbers identify the bottling plant. In Maine, those processing plants are:
HP Hood 23-03
Houlton Farms 23-20
Oakhurst Dairy 23-01
Smiling Hill Farm Dairy 23-31
Look for the plant code 23-XX on jugs and cartons to ensure your milk was bottled in Maine.
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM …
Maine is a haven for ice cream lovers, with its abundance of local farms and producers who make the frozen treat. From chains like Gifford’s to independent scoop shops and ice cream trucks, you could spend your entire summer cooling down by sampling Maine ice cream. You can get started on Real Maine’s Ice Cream Trail! Some of the flavors you could try:
Blueberry Cobbler from Blanchard’s Creamery
Gingery Ginger from Stone Fox Farm Creamery
Mint Leaf Chip from Willard Scoops
Maple Caramel from Canty Cow Creamery
SAY CHEESE
Maine creameries make award-winning cheeses.
The variety of cheeses Maine farmers and producers are crafting is constantly growing in scope and in flavor. Real Maine lists more than 100 cheesemakers and shops, many of which have farm stores on site, or you can find Maine cheeses at specialty shops and local food stores. Nearly every Maine farmers’ market also boasts at least one cheese vendor as well. Start your search for the perfect cheese for your charcuterie board, to compliment your next snack, or to enjoy one serving at a time, at Real Maine. The Maine Cheese Guild’s Cheese Map is also a great resource.
DAIRY IS A MAIN(E) INGREDIENT
Maine milk and cream form the foundation of many foods, such as butter, yogurt, and kefir, but also candies, desserts, entrees, and dips and sauces. These Real Maine members’ products wouldn’t be the same without local dairy as an ingredient:
Cinnamon and Vanilla Cajeta from Copper Tail Farm
Applewood Smoked Butter from Crooked Face Creamery
Chipotle Bevre from Balfour Farm
Moo’s Goat Cheese Cheesecake from Painted Pepper Farm
Real Maine is the state’s official agriculture and agritourism promotions program. From seedlings to farmers’ markets to ice cream sundaes, plan your Real Maine summer agricultural experience. Visit www.RealMaine.com to connect to farms, food, and agriculture throughout Maine.
