Stewart’s Shops has won the 2007 Highest Quality Milk in New York State award with a perfect score. This is the second time in three years Stewart’s has won this award.
This prestigious distinction, awarded by Cornell University’s Department of Food Science, was officially announced at the New York State fair in Syracuse on Aug. 27. The university collected samples from state dairy companies from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Analytical testing was conducted and the results determined the ‘Highest Quality’ milk honoree. The random samples of whole, low-fat and skim milk were evaluated on criteria ranging from vitamin levels and flavor scores to bacteria counts and antibiotic residue-free purity.
“This honor is extremely fulfilling for our entire company, particularly 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.
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 their own Saratoga Dairy to their shops.
Today, a selected group of over 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.