Local Flavor: Maine Dairy Month and milk codes

Governor Janet Mills recently proclaimed June as Maine Dairy Month.

Growing up in Connecticut, every month was dairy month, as my father was a dairy inspector and chief of the dairy division of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. I guess I can blame him for my love of ice cream and cheese.

According to the governor’s office, Maine is home to 176 dairy farms that care for herds of dairy cows, goats and sheep. Maine dairy farmers and creameries provide 4,733 direct and 10,201 indirect jobs and generate $904 million in direct economic impact and $1 billion in indirect economic impact.

“Dairy farms are a cornerstone of Maine’s agricultural industry, of our rural communities, and of our economy as a whole,” said Mills in a prepared statement. “From milk to cheese to yogurt to ice cream, Maine’s dairy farmers work hard to deliver us delicious, world-class products that I am proud to celebrate and promote. I encourage Maine people to join me in appreciating Maine’s dairy farms and our incredible dairy products as we celebrate Dairy Month in Maine. Doing so will not only taste good, but it will help our dairy farmers and our economy.”

So, how do you know if the milk you’re buying at your local grocery store or market is Maine milk? Here’s an easy trick from Real Maine, a program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Just check the plant code on the top of the jug or carton.

All milk bottled in Maine has a code that begins with 23, according to Real Maine, and even store brands are often bottled in Maine.

Maine milk processing plant codes, according to Real Maine:

• HP Hood 23-03

• Houlton Farms 23-20

• Oakhurst Dairy 23-01

• Smiling Hill Farm Dairy 23-31

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.