SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- According to an annual milk quality competition held by Cornell University at the New York State Fair in Syracuse on Monday, Stewart's Processing of Saratoga Springs has earned bragging rights to New York's best milk, said the Associated Press.
Stewart's, which operates 317 Stewart's Shops convenience stores in eastern New York and Vermont, earned a score of 94.4 out of a possible 100.
Crowley of Albany and Crowley of Binghamton tied for second, Upstate Farms of Rochester was third, and Wendt's Dairy in Niagara [image-nocss] Falls was fourth. Last year, Wendt's scored 100, the first dairy to earn a perfect score.
In addition to flavor, samples are evaluated for shelf life, butterfat, bacteria counts, and vitamins. Scientists collected more than 400 random samples of milk over the past year from two dozen of the state's largest milk processors.
Gary Warren, Stewarts' vice president, said the company has been trying to win the award for nine years.
The company's website says that Stewart's picks up milk daily from about 50 local farms. It i pasteurized and bottled the same day, then it is sent out on refrigerated trucks and in Stewart's Shop coolers within 48 hours.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.