I have visited your site a few times, and have thought about commenting on this post a few times, but am just now finding the time.

I work for Traders Point, and I think we met at the Family Farmed Expo last spring. I am so glad you made your trip this fall, and I am sorry I didn’t get to meet you while you were at our farm.

I just wanted to clarify some points you made regarding the comparison between us and Kilgus. I understand why you perceive some things the way you do, but I think you are misunderstanding how Traders Point came to be, and its underlying motivations for the way our product is produced, packaged, and “marketed.”

First, to address the marketing, there really is no such thing here at Traders Point. We do not have a marketing budget, do not have commercials, ads, nationwide campaigns, coupons, sales, or anything of that sort. Our success has been SOLELY the responsibility of people like you who believe in local, organic, healthful, tasteful products. When our owners began this project they didn’t envision this outcome in any way, but it has been because their products are so good, and their mission so true that they have had this “success.” WHole Foods came to them asking to carrying the product, with no provocation. the same goes for almost all of our retailers. Marketing is not needed when you make a product like ours – it sells itself.

I also wanted to discuss your irritation with our class limitations because of the price of our product. Please understand that we do not charge anything more than the TRUE COST of our products. We are 100% grassfed, which takes a significant percentage out of a normal cows daily production. Even a handful of grain does wonders for milk production, but does equal damage to the quality of the milk and the cows health. A lot of farms feed a lot of grass to their cows – but VERY few only feed grass/hay like us.

As far as the glass bottles that you overheard Fritz referring to. Our owners believe in glass packaging because it helps preserve the quality/taste of the milk, the ability to recycle the glass, but mostly they believe in glass because of the various arguments regarding plastic or cardboard containers leaching chemicals into our bodies. It is not an image thing, it is a quality/health/environment thing. Our brand is recognized and appreciated for our glass packing now, and we absolutely believe in its benefits.

Our products are expensive, but offering our customers the healthiest products on the market comes at a price. We are not making expensive dairy products with the goal of having a high end niche, and we have been endlessly grateful that so many people share our values and feel our milk is worth it. Our customers are a true cross-section of people from different income levels, backgrounds, ages, political leanings, religious affiliations etc.

Traders Point Creamery has a fantastic connection with its own community and the Kunz’s have been a part of that community for many, many years. Just because land is inherited and there is some start up capital doesn’t make any of what they have done easy, to be sure. The list of struggles and stumbles is a mile long, and I have nothing but admiration for them for continuing to stand strong on their beliefs and commitment to health above all else.

I hope this helps clarify your thoughts/opinions on Traders Point, and please feel free to contact me to discuss this in more detail. Keep up the yogurt making, in the mean time!