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Organic Valley, Inc. is an organic food production and distribution company based out of southwest Wisconsin.
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[edit] Company History
Organic Valley, Inc. was originally founded in 1988 under the name CROPP (Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool)1. What began as a group of seven farms selling their produce soon expanded into the prodution and local distribution of fruits, vegetables, and dairy. The brandname Organic Valley was soon adopted, and the abbreviation "CROPP" was adjusted to Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools. Today, Organic Valley is one of the largest producers and distributers of organic fruits, vegetables (in season), dairy, beef, pork, turkey, chicken products (all meat products sold under the name Organic Prairie2), and chicken eggs in the world. To date, Organic Valley is comprised of 1183 farmer-owners that specialize in sustainable, organic agriculture practices3.
The seven original CROPP farms are located throughout southwest Wisconsin, primarily in the Kickapoo River Basin area. Southwest Wisconsin is the home of many small or industrial-sized farms, both organic and non-organic. However, the 1183 farms that now make up Organic Valley's production base are located throughout the midwest and the continental United States, and range from large farms supported by multiple families and groups of people to small, family owned-and-operated farms.
[edit] Mission Statement and Company Policies
The mission of Organic Valley, Inc. is to distribute the most affordable, safest organic food in the nation while simultaneously promoting sustainable agriculture throughout the world. Company policy includes high rates-of-returns to the farmers that sustain the company and the attempt to maintain consistent prices set forth by the Board of Directors of the company, who base sums off of the cost of production and manpower that goes into the growth and distribution of their products.
Organic agriculture is rooted in the growth of the animal, plant, or seed that is to be harvested. Guidelines for the growth and care of organic products were set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) upon the creation of the National Organic Program (NOP), which was passed on April 21, 20024. Any farm that wishes to be certified as organic must meet the requirements of the NOP. Organic crops must be raised without the use of herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. They also cannot be treated with any chemicals post-harvest. Alternatively, livestock whose meat or milk are to be harvested cannot be treated with any antibiotic or synthetic hormones2 or ingest any genetically modified plants or organisms during their growth or milking years (all livestock food must be certified as organic). In addition to the growth of the product, the harvest and post-harvest treatment of the product is strictly regulated, prohibiting the use of some chemicals and post-harvest production methods.
An interesting note on the certification of organic farms: farms that make the switch to organic practices will not be certified as organic until three years after they stop using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals. Thus, farms cannot simply alternate between organic and non-organic production when they wish due to this three-year "cleansing" rule.
George Siemon, one of the founding seven farmers of CROPP, acts as CEO of the Organic Valley, Inc. Each of the farms that sustain this company are certified as organic (i.e. they follow all of the guidelines set forth by the NOP). Organic Valley also uses pasteurization and homogenization in many of their dairy products, even though they have been criticized in this area for not being fundamentally aligned with organic food preservation.
[edit] Products
Soy
Chocolate Soy Milk
Original Soy Milk
Vanilla Soy Milk
Unsweetened Soy Milk
Whole Milk
Pasteurized
Shelf-Stable, Whole Milk
Ultra-Pasteurized
Reduced Fat 2% Milk
Lactose Free, Reduced Fat 2%, Ultra-Pasteurized
Pasteurized
Ultra-Pasteurized
Lowfat 1% Milk
1% Lowfat
Chocolate, 1%
Lactose Free, Lowfat 1%, Ultra-Pasteurized
Pasteurized
Strawberry
Ultra-Pasteurized
Vanilla, 1% Lowfat
Fat Free / Skim / Nonfat Milk
Lactose Free, Fat Free/Skim, Ultra-Pasteurized
Pasteurized
Ultra-Pasteurized
Lactose Free
Lactose Free, Fat Free/Skim, Ultra-Pasteurized
Lactose Free, Lowfat 1%, Ultra-Pasteurized
Lactose Free, Reduced Fat 2%, Ultra-Pasteurized
Chocolate Milk
Chocolate 2%.
Chocolate, 1% Lowfat
Shelf-Stable, Chocolate 2%
Single Serve Milk
1% Lowfat
Chocolate, 1% Lowfat
Strawberry, 1% Lowfat
Vanilla, 1% Lowfat
Shelf-Stable Milks
1% Lowfat
Chocolate, 1% Lowfat
Shelf-Stable, Chocolate 2%
Shelf-Stable, Half and Half
Shelf-Stable, Whole Milk
Strawberry, 1% Lowfat
Vanilla, 1% Lowfat
Egg Nog (seasonal)
Ultra-Pasteurized
Non-homogenized Whole Milk
Pasteurized
Half and Half
Shelf-Stable, Half and Half
Ultra-Pasteurized
Heavy Whipping Cream
Pasteurized
Ultra-Pasteurized
Buttermilk Lowfat 1%
Cultured, Pasteurized
Milk Powders
Buttermilk Powder
Buttermilk Blend
Nonfat Dry Milk
Non-Fat Dry Milk
Butter
Cultured Unsalted Butter
European Cultured
European Style Butter
European Cultured
Salted Butter
Cottage Cheese
Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Regular Cottage Cheese
Sour Cream
Lowfat Sour Cream
Regular Sour Cream
Cream Cheese
Neufchatel
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar sticks
Mild Cheddar, Shredded
Mild Block
Mild, Reduced Fat , Reduced Sodium
Mild, Sliced
Raw Mild Block
Raw Sharp Block
Sharp
Colby Cheese
Feta Cheese
Italian Blend
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack, Reduced Fat
Monterey Jack Block
Monterey Jack, Reduced Fat, Shredded
Monterey Jack, Reduced Fat, Sliced
Wisconsin Raw Milk Cheese, Jack Style
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella Block
Mozzarella, Low Moisture, Part Skim, Shredded.
String Cheese, Low Moisture, Part Skim, Mozzarella
Muenster Cheese
Muenster Slices
Muenster Block
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan, Shredded
Pepper Jack
Pepper Jack Block
Provolone Cheese
Provolone Slices
Provolone Block
Baby Swiss
Baby Swiss Slices
Ricotta Cheese
Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Mexican Blend, Shredded
Orange Juice with Pulp
Pulp-Free Orange Juice
Pulp-Free Orange Juice with Calcium
Eggs
Extra Large Eggs
Jumbo Eggs
Large Eggs
Medium Eggs
Omega-3 Large Eggs
Egg Whites
Beef
85% Lean Ground Beef, Fresh
90% Lean Ground Beef, Fresh
Boneless New York Strip Steak, Frozen
Boneless Rib Eye Steak, Frozen
Boneless Sirloin Steak, Frozen
Ground Beef Chub, Frozen
Ground Beef Patties, Frozen
Hickory Smoked Beef Jerky
Liver Steak, Frozen
Roast Beef Slices, Fresh
Uncured Beef Hot Dogs, Fresh
Uncured Beef Hot Dogs, Frozen
Uncured Classic Hot Dogs, Fresh
Uncured Classic Hot Dogs, Frozen
Hickory Smoked Beef Jerky
Pork
Brown & Serve Pork Links, Frozen
Ground Pork, Fresh
Hardwood Smoked Bone-In Spiral Sliced Half Ham, Fresh
Hardwood Smoked Canadian Bacon, Fresh
Hardwood Smoked Ham, Frozen
Hardwood Smoked Sliced Ham, Fresh
Italian Pork Sausage, Frozen
Pork Bratwurst, Frozen
Pork Breakfast Sausage, Frozen
Pork Chops, Frozen
Uncured Classic Hot Dogs, Fresh
Uncured Classic Hot Dogs, Frozen
Uncured Hardwood Smoked Bacon, Fresh
Uncured Hardwood Smoked Bacon, Frozen
Chicken
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, frozen
Ground Chicken, frozen
Italian Chicken Sausage, frozen
Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs, Fresh
Uncured Chicken Hot Dogs, Frozen
Whole Chicken
Whole Chicken
Turkey
Ground Turkey Chub, Frozen
Organic Whole Young Turkey Frozen
Organic Whole Young Turkey Frozen
Roasted Turkey Breast Slices, Fresh
Smoked Turkey Breast Slices, Fresh
Uncured Turkey Hot Dogs, Fresh, 12 oz
For a complete list of package sizes and weights please visit: http://www.organicvalley.coop/products_recipes/products_az.html
[edit] Sales and Distribution Locations
Organic Valley is primarily run and owned by the farmers that sustain it2. The company's income returns primarily to the farmers and community in which the crops are grown, which is a contributing factor to the steady prices that Organic Valley attempts to maintain. While some criticize Organic Valley (and indeed, the organic food market in general) for being overpriced, the organic food market is continually growing, which communities showing more and more interest in the theory and practices of organic agriculture.
Products displaying the Organic Valley logo and USDA Certified organic stamp can be found in all 50 states, Canada, and Japan. The United States is divided into three selling markets: The Western, Central, and Eastern Divisions2. Each division is managed by sales staff, producers, and distributers directly associated with the corporation. Total sales in 2003 peaked to $156 million dollars5, with an annual organic market growth rate of 20%2.
[edit] Awards and Recognitions
2006 Earth Trustee Award Earth Society Foundation International Earth Day Award The Earth Society Foundation International Earth Day Award was presented to Organic Valley in recognition for outstanding contribution as a dedicated Earth Trustee. Organic Valley farmer Regina Beidler accepted the award and was present for the ringing of the UN Peace Bell at the exact moment of the Spring Equinox on Earth Day.2
2005 Midmarket Manufacturer of the Year Award Start Magazine This award singles out manufacturing companies that have excelled in the manufacturing industry as a whole. Companies with revenues between $200 million and $1 billion are considered to be in the midmarket.2
2005 Wisconsin Employer of Choice Award Workforce Development Board, Inc. An award based upon identification of businesses in the Western Wisconsin region who exemplify best practices in workforce attraction and retention.2
[edit] External Links
Organic Valley, Inc. homepage: http://www.organicvalley.coop
United States Department of Agriculture: http://www.usda.gov
National Organic Program Information: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm
[edit] References
1. "Organic Valley: The Truest Meaning of Organic." United Buying Club. Sept.-Oct. 2007 <http://www.unitedbuyingclubs.com>.
2. "Organic Valley Farms Homepage." Organic Valley. Sept.-Oct. 2007 <http://www.organicvalley.coop/>.
3. "Dairy Survey." Cornucopia. 7 Oct. 2007 <http://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/FarmID_94.html>.
4. Kuepper, George. "Organic Farm Certification & the National Organic Program." National Sustainable Agriculture Information Services. 2002. 10 Oct. 2007 <http://attra.ncat.org/>.
5. Citrano, Virgina, and Penelope Patsuris. "The Naturals." Forbes.com. 17 Sept. 2004. 7 Oct. 2007 <http://www.forbes.com>.
