‘Raw' milk rally
Government has seized Newville farmer's supply of unpasteurized products
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Article RatingDon't come between people and their milk.
Drinkers of unpasteurized milk and other dairy products will hold a rally Saturday to support Newville farmer Mark Nolt, who had his supply of so-called “raw” milk, yogurt and cheese seized by state officials two weeks ago. In Pennsylvania, people can sell raw milk only with a permit and cannot sell other unpasteurized dairy products under any circumstances.
The rally, which will be at Nolt's farm on Centerville Road, will attract hundreds of people, according to organizer Judy Stolzfus, who said Nolt's patrons have exchanged thousands of angry e-mails about his shutdown. Although definitive plans have not been determined, participants have been encouraged to bring signs, posters and, naturally, unpasteurized food or milk.
Why the overflow of dissent? Stolzfus said she and other people are upset the government is telling them what kinds of milk they can and cannot buy.
“Why must someone dictate what is safe for me to eat and what isn't?” Stolzfus said. “Why can't I eat what I want to eat?”
But Chris Ryder, a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, said the law does not prevent people from selling raw milk, it just requires that they have a permit.
“Mr. Nolt has refused to get a permit, and that is the issue here,” Ryder said.
Stolzfus said she draws a distinction between Nolt's customers and supermarket shoppers. People who buy milk from Nolt and other farmers understand the risks, she said, so they should be allowed to purchase and use the milk. She does not support the sale of raw milk in supermarkets, however, because most of the buyers would be unaware of the dangers.
Raw milk drinkers, Stolzfus included, say it is healthier and tastes better than “dead,” or pasteurized, milk. Stolzfus said pasteurization kills as much helpful bacteria as it does harmful ones.
Nolt used to have a permit but has said he refuses to get another one because it would not allow him to sell raw yogurt, soft cheeses and other dairy products.
Nolt, who could go to jail if he continues selling raw milk, said government officials shut his operation down in part because they said three people had gotten sick from his milk - evidence Nolt has not been able to see for himself. He said he hopes the rally will help expose the truth and help him overcome the government's objections.
“The difference here is who's standing on the truth,” Nolt said.
Ryder said the department seized Nolt's raw dairy products supply because he was selling them illegally, not because he made anyone sick.
