SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Stewart's Shops diary and convenience store chain has won the 2008 Highest Quality Milk in New York State award for the second year in a row, and the third time in four years. This distinction, awarded by Cornell University's Department of Food Science, was officially announced at the New York State Fair in Syracuse on August 25.
The university collected samples from 19 dairy producers across the state from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The random samples of whole, 2%, 1% and skim milk were evaluated on criteria ranging from vitamin levels and flavor [image-nocss] scores to bacteria counts and antibiotic residue free purity. The testing results determined the Highest Quality milk honoree.
"Our entire company is honored once again, especially all of our dairy processing employees who work diligently with our local dairy farms to ensure our customers receive only the highest quality milk products possible," said Gary Dake, president of Stewart's Shops Corp., Saratoga, N.Y.
Stewart's has been processing milk since 1935 when Saratoga Dairy was created. In 1945, an ice cream operation and a shop were purchased from Donald Stewart in Ballston Spa, N.Y., and the first Stewart's Shop was born. Stewart's obtained the right in 1957 from the Department of Agriculture to sell milk from its own Saratoga Dairy to its shops. Today, a group of more than 50 dairy farmers from Saratoga, Washington and Northern Rensselaer Counties provide milk for the 325 Stewart's Shops in eastern New York and western Vermont.
Stewart's milk can be found in a variety of products that the company carries in its shops. The company, a participant in the Pride of New York program, offers milk in whole, 1%, 2%, skim, lactose free, chocolate, strawberry and cappuccino varieties. Other dairy byproducts include buttermilk, eggnog, half and half and heavy cream. The more than 40 varieties of ice cream available at Stewart's Shops are made daily with the milk at the plant in Saratoga.
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