So that we all know WHERE cholov Yisroel is coming from….where are the products being processed and packaged? WE SHOULD be able to go directly to where products come from, so that if NOT available in OUR area, we might be able to go to the source to obtain the products directly. Where are the farms and the processing facilities? Some farms nay be in certain locations in upstate NY, or in some place in another state producing dairy products such as Wisconsin or California. No local stores in these areas may carry anything, but we should have some sort of directory of where to go to get product direct from processing or production facility…..and when to go, as may not be available every day. I wish that the Kashrus agencies would publicize this information. WHERE are products from various companies actually being packaged? We should be able to go there and directly get products. Products may be processed and packaged somewhere in upstate NY, or another area….but not being SOLD nearby, is a big problem for the few Cholov Yisroel customers who might live somewhere near that area. They may have to travel far away to get their products, yet the products are actually produced near them.The problem is that no local store will get the product. In Wisconsin, for example, much cheese may be produced or packaged there, but where. It might be somewhat near somebody who might use that product, but the nearest stores where it might be available might be hundreds of miles away.
Cholov Yisroel information should be much more available. ONE company that I know of, makes a few cheeses under STAR K is on the internet and will ship the cheese to you. the varied selection is mostly cholov Yisroel. The location is probably reasonable driving distance from Milwaukee, Postville, or Minnesota. The company is called HARMONY CHEESE. But products are not currently available in their own local cheese store. BUT you can place an order for pick up. Cheese is not sliced but is in one or 5 lb blocks or larger. This cheese is often sold wholesale to stores. Invest in a good cheese cutter! Check the website carefully for the kosher cheeses as most of their products are not kosher. A few cheeses may also be kosher for Pesach. I have had a few of their products. They were shipped to me. They are located in central rural Wisconsin, nowhere near any established Jewish community I am aware of at this time. I would hope that other companies would also be able and willing to ship their products directly to you. I understand that SHTARK cheeses may also be produced in Wisconsin, but of course would not be sold in local stores in the area….and there are probably very few Yidden around in Wisconsin anyway. I have no idea of availability of many of these items in other areas. Our cholov Yisroel dairy product companies are all producing and packaging their products in remote areas, probably not anywhere near where MOST Yidden live. BUT, it would be nice to sometimes be able to do a pickup rather than have to travel far to a store to obtain them. There are, surprisingly Yidden in some remote areas far from established Jewish communities. Not many, only a few, here and there. AND…if one was travelling in one of these areas……
And…milk….In the EAST we have the familiar Golden Flow, and other brands in NY area….Pride of the Farm in NJ and Baltimore, etc. I understand that in the midwest, probably somewhere in Wisconsin there is a company with a name something like Lammer. I saw this company when I was in a store in Chicago.. I am not aware of the hashgacha. We should know the actual location of their bottling facilities and be able to pick up milk directly from all of these places. AS milk must be available fast, and is not able to be transported very long distances, most of these companies are quite regional.