There has been a lot of talk recently about how the State of Maine is against raw milk sales. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, Maine is one of only 10 states that allow the retail sale of raw milk from licensed producers.
Because of this, a great quantity of high-quality raw milk is available to Maine’s cheese makers, who have taken advantage of this source to produce more and more artisanal style cheeses that are making a positive impression around the country, and consistently winning national awards.
Mainers’ access to raw milk at the retail level is threatened by the sale of unregulated raw milk. Advocates for unregulated sales of raw milk undermine the longstanding — and rare — spirit of cooperation between Maine state regulators and its licensed raw milk producers, and thus threaten the livelihood of many family farms and cheese makers across the states who depend on these raw milk sales or on access to this legal source of raw milk.
If you have any questions about this issue, please read the Maine Cheese Guild’s Quality Statement, or contact the Maine Cheese Guild directly.
Our annual Holiday Party was held in New Gloucester at Pineland Farms Creamery, including a catered lunch for Guild members and their guests. Over thirty folks helped us toast our Guild’s accomplishments in 2011, as well as inspired us toward new goals in 2012.