Many of you know my family & I drink raw milk, yes that’s right untreated…or is that untampered?  We have been drinking it for two years without any incident of sickness.  The benefits of raw milk have been proven to be many, and the dangers fewer than you are led to believe.  In fact, you are more likely to get E. Coli from a burger or a bag of unwashed spinach these days.  Raw milk is constantly given a bad rap, take a look at this article, where they immediately blame raw milk for an E. Coli outbreak, tarnish the reputation of the dairy that produced it and all for naught.  The article goes on to say:

“After the infections were discovered, state officials inspected the Dungeness dairy — and have continued to do so — and have found no E. coli bacteria in its milk or in its facilities.”

There are thousands of Washingtonians that drink raw milk “in good health” as the article says.

When I first started drinking raw milk, I purchased it from my local food co-op, at that time they carried two brands.  They are now down to one, and it is often limited.  There is a demand, but it is difficult for these small dairies to keep up with the USDA and its extremely stringent guidelines on them.  I do not think there is a more scrutinized group of food producers than the raw milk dairy farmers.

All this being said, an alliance has been formed, an alliance of raw milk supporters, farmers & consumers in our state.  If you feel the same about having the freedom to consume what you choose, the freedom to use your own discretion when it comes to knowing where your food comes from,  if you feel you are smart enough to know what’s good for you, then you must join The Washington Alliance for Raw Milk.

Update: Here is the website for Alliance for Raw Milk Internationale (ARMi), it has links to all the available state ARMs.

This post has been a part of Fight Back Friday hosted by Food Renegade.