Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Cody gave one of his first illustrated talks in 4-H about the "REAL" Seal. I'm thankful for all the experiences in 4-H and on the dairy farm that have shaped this young dairy farmer.

Real Dairy Deal

When I do my grocery shopping every week, I am always amazed by the choices in the dairy case that have no relationship to real dairy products. One way to verify that you are choosing a real dairy product is to look for the stylized milk drop surrounding the simple word "REAL".

This seal is the symbol of pure dairy goodness and has been used nationally since 1977. The "REAL" Seal was actually developed by the California Milk Advisory Board in 1976 as a public service to help consumers easily identify real dairy foods. The symbol nationally has become a federally registered "REAL" Seal trademark administered by Dairy Management Inc.

The "REAL" Seal is one of the best recognized and most widely used symbols in the food and beverage industry. Products that carry the "REAL" Seal must contain real dairy food produced from U.S.-produced cow's milk and the contents must meet minimum government standards for the product category. Research has shown that consumers:

• View the "REAL" Seal as a sign of dairy product identity and authenticity
  


• Associate the "REAL" Seal with products that have no or fewer additives and are not processed
  


• Expect products displaying the "REAL" Seal to taste better and be of higher quality



• Know what to expect in terms of cooking and melting patterns when they cook with "REAL"Seal products
  
  

The "REAL" Seal represents a promise to consumers that the product is made with real dairy. Real American farmers producing real milk--a real deal for all consumers!

THE REAL DEAL

The Real Seal is a logo you find on products that contain real dairy ingredients. Dairy farmers and dairy farm families are also the real deal behind the seal. As a dairy farmer I want to give you some real truthful information. Caring for our animals is real important to our farms sustainability. Proper and humane treatment of our cows is a real committment. As a cooperative member of Dairy Farmers of America, we have attained the Gold Standard Dairy Program Certificate. This is an on farm audit that assesses,analyzes and provides feedback regarding on farm practices, encourages continuous improvement and recognizes achievements. Dairy farmers are the real deal---real people, real values,real love of animals,real contributers to society, real lovers of the land,real American values and real belief in God. We are the Real deal with the Real Seal with a Real story--REALLY! Just ask a dairy farmer for a real answer to questions about what we do on the farm.