Happy Moo Year!
Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery reopens tomorrow, Monday, January 9, after our annual winter break. We can’t wait to see you! Tomorrow before 3pm is also the final window to sign up for the Barstow’s 2023 Soup CSA. You can sign up tomorrow in person or online here right now.
We’ve been busy this week with cleaning and maintenance projects. We’ve, once again, increased prices in the New Year to match with the Massachusetts minimum wage hike and inflationary pressure on our cost of goods that we’ve been admittedly feeling the squeeze on for the last few months. We are grateful for our community’s continued support of our family farm and farm-store!
Hello, 2023
January is often the marker for a fresh start. New Year’s resolutions, like being more active and healthy eating, are top of mind for a lot of us; so let’s make 2023 our year!
New England dairy farmers are committed to providing nutrient-rich foods that nourish people, strengthen communities, and protect the environment to ensure our local food system continues to thrive. Meanwhile, about 90% of Americans do not get enough dairy and would benefit from including dairy in their day. This can come from milk, yogurt, or cheese; and it can also come from lactose-free milk or yogurt. (Did you know that Cabot cheese is lactose free?)
Got Milk?
We asked our team members around the farm about if, how, and why dairy is a part of their daily routine.
Energy
Shannon Barstow typically starts her day in the Barstow’s bakery around 4:30am. When there’s no time to stop (like during the holiday season) Shannon will snag a Cabot single-serve cheese or a fruit smoothie with Cabot Greek yogurt to keep her energized.
David Barstow makes sure to begin his day in the barn with homemade whole milk yogurt and granola or a PB&J with a glass of milk. Niacin and riboflavin, naturally found in dairy, turns food into energy and helps to keep the nervous system and digestive system healthy.
Health
Nate, who works at Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery, shared that the primary reason he drinks milk is for good bone health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognizes that moderate evidence shows milk and milk products are linked to improved bone health (especially in children and teens) and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as lower blood pressure in adults.
Denise Barstow Manz and her husband are expecting their first in early March! One of her go-to meals at Barstow’s during her pregnancy has been a smoothie with banana, peanut butter, spinach, whole milk, and Cabot Greek yogurt. The protein and calcium in this beverage is great for her and also great for baby! Iodine in milk is essential to baby’s brain development during pregnancy and infancy; it is linked with cognitive function in childhood.
Calm
Brandy, a baker on the Barstow’s crew, enjoys a chocolate milk with her breakfast every shift at Barstow’s – simply because she loves it! Steve Barstow pops in to Barstow’s around 9am for a cup of coffee with milk and a pastry for the road. This New Year, create a moment of calm in the morning with milk – it’s delicious and good for your body.
Beyond the Bod
When we’re talking about health, we can’t count out the environment that we live in. A thriving, healthy environment provides basic needs, in terms of clean air and water and fertile land for food production.When you’re considering what to put on the table for your family this year, be sure to put into your calculations the role that small family dairy farms play in your neighborhood. Dairy farms provide our communities with fresh local food, always in season; open space, soil health, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, and food security in the Pioneer Valley. Like any good, functioning food system, or system within the body, just remember, it’s all connected!
P.S. Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the Barstow’s Soup CSA! Sign up now!