Local Dairy at Keany
Hold onto your milkshakes, folks, because we’re here to butter you up with the scoop on local dairy! It’s not just about moo-ving closer to your food source— it’s about enjoying the freshest, creamiest products your community has to offer. From cheeses that are grate, to milk that’s pasture-perfect, going local is the way to go. So, don’t skim over the details— let’s dig in and explore all the reasons why supporting local dairy is legen-dairy!
Why Choose our Local Dairy
Freshness and quality are the heart and soul of great dairy! When you choose our local dairy delights, you’re not just treating yourself, you’re supporting the dedicated farmers who pour their hearts into every gallon, block, and tub. By supporting them, you’re fueling sustainable agriculture and strengthening our community. It’s a win-win: incredible taste and a positive impact, all in one delicious bite!
South Mountain Creamery
After 2 decades of farming, Randy and Karen Sowers decided to turn their passion into something extraordinary—and South Mountain Creamery was born! Located in Middletown, Maryland, South Mountain Creamery has been a partner with us since 2020. Fast forward to today, and three generations of the Sowers-Brusco family are all hands-on deck, working together on the farm and in the stores as their dream keeps growing. Their cows enjoy a wholesome diet of grass and grain, keeping them happy, healthy, and thriving. Each cow is milked twice a day, producing an impressive 8 gallons of milk. In just 12 hours, that milk is lovingly pasteurized, homogenized, and bottled right on the farm—talk about fresh!
Firefly Farms
Cave Dweller
Moo & Blue
In 2000, Mike Koch and Pablo Solanet turned their love for exceptional cheese into a masterpiece—Firefly Farms! Located in Accident, Maryland, Firefly Farms have been our partner since 2011. Now celebrated both nationally and internationally, their award-winning cheeses are a true taste of the Allegheny Plateau. Fresh goat milk from seven local farms, all within 30 miles, is the foundation of their craft. Every cheese is lovingly scooped, turned, salted, washed, brushed, and wrapped by hand—no additives, preservatives, or stabilizers in sight! Firefly Farms also lead the way in sustainability with a solar panel system that’s reduced their energy use in half. With a passion for the art of cheese-making and commitment to the planet, Firefly Farms is as inspiring as it is delicious.
Their Chevre goat cheese is a creamy superstar made from milk sourced from local farms. Always. Processed within 24 hours. Always. (Yes, they’re that fresh-obsessed.) No “goaty-funky-ness.” Just a clean, mild flavor with a bright, citrus-y personality. Always.
A perfect blend of fresh milk from Jersey and Holstein cows makes for a rich, luscious, soft-ripened favorite – Firefly Farm’s Bloomy Breeze. Aged carefully for three weeks, then wrapped for soft-ripening over the course of the next few weeks – from the rind inward! Its edible rind is velvety white and bloomy. Hence the name. And the widespread adoration. (Available with a week notice.)
- Firefly Farm’s Bloomy Breeze – 30085 – 3 lbs
Cabra La Mancha is inspired by cheeses produced high in the Pyrenees mountains of northern Spain’s Basque region. As it ages for 90 days, their cheese makers hand wash, dry brush, and flip each one of these brined orange beauties over and over again until they’re ready. Bello!
With the deep buttery richness of a classic blue cheese, their all-cow’s milk blue isn’t bitter like many blue cheeses can be. Moo & Blue has a lingering sweetness there and a notably clean flavor. Aged for at least 4 months, it may be unique, but it’s still true blue.
You can’t rush something this good. It takes the Cave Dweller around 8-12 months to develop its sweet and sharp flavor. Made in the “Italian style,” the curd is “cooked” and stirred in its whey, making it first denser and harder, then nuttier and more complex with each passing day. (Available with a week notice.)
- Cave Dweller – 30119 – 4 lbs
Merry Goat Round is Firefly Farms’ best-selling retail cheese for good reason. Actually, quite a few reasons. The super creamy texture. The oh-so-clean flavor. And that rind? It’s soft and bloomy and is edible at any stage of ripening. (Little secret: the fullest flavor is concentrated in the rind. You’re welcome.) Chefs and caterers agree, this one deserves a giant ‘round’ of applause.
Creamy, mild and rich, Mountain Top is one of Firefly Farms’ most innovative cheeses. This cheese takes the classic pyramid Valençay shape yet uses blue as a ripening agent instead of the traditional ash. This is their single-most awarded cheese.
Lioni Latticini
In 1980, the Salzarulo family brought a slice of Italy to Brooklyn, New York, and Lioni Latticini has been delighting cheese lovers ever since! Rooted in the traditions of Lioni, Italy, this family-owned gem is famous for its fresh, whole-milk mozzarella cheese. Under the leadership of Lori Church, they remain true to their roots, using only the finest ingredients, including 100% grass-fed buffalo milk imported straight from Campania. Today, Lioni Latticini has grown into a nationally renowned cheese maker and distributor, blending time-honored techniques with modern innovation. Their secret? A perfect mix of tradition, quality, and a passion for keeping customers happy.
Mountain View Farm
At Mountain View Farm, they believe the recipe for amazing farmstead cheese starts with sunshine, rich soil, and the happiest cows around! Nestled on a stunning 250-acre dairy farm in Fairfield, Virginia, the Huger family tends to their herd of 200 Jersey, Holstein, and cross-bred cows with care and dedication. These cows enjoy rotational grazing on lush pastures and are fed only non-GMO feeds, keeping them healthy and content year-round. The farm crafts mouthwatering raw milk, artisan cheeses aged to perfection for 60 days, as well as fresh, pasteurized dairy products bursting with flavor. Family-owned and operated by Fred and Christie Huger, along with their three children—Anderson, Everette, and Isabelle—Mountain View Farm is a labor of love where tradition, quality, and passion come together to create something truly special.
Benefits of Local Dairy
Choosing local dairy products offers numerous benefits for both your health and the environment. At Keany Produce, we are proud to provide the freshest and highest quality local dairy products to our community. Here are some compelling reasons to opt for local dairy:
Nutritional Value: Local dairy products are bursting with exceptional nutrition and unbeatable freshness! Produced and distributed right in your community, they deliver higher levels of essential nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals—all key to fueling a healthy, vibrant lifestyle. With every sip or bite, you’re treating yourself to a wholesome, delicious way to support your well-being.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Choosing local dairy is a win for both you and the planet! By opting for locally sourced products, you’re cutting down on transportation, slashing carbon emissions, and leaving a smaller ecological footprint. Plus, many local dairy farms go the extra mile with sustainable practices—think responsible waste management and smart conservation of natural resources. It’s a simple way to enjoy great dairy while supporting a greener, healthier world!
Community Connection: When you buy local dairy, you’re not just getting fresh, delicious products, you’re also supporting the hardworking farmers and businesses that make your community thrive! This connection strengthens the bonds of your local area and boosts the economy. By choosing local, you’re helping preserve the agricultural roots of your community while ensuring your purchase makes a direct impact. It’s a tasty way to support the people who work hard to bring you the best!
In a nutshell, choosing local dairy is a win all around! From the unbeatable freshness and nutritional perks to supporting your community and protecting the planet, it’s a choice that just feels right. By picking local, you’re not only treating yourself to the best, but you’re also helping keep local farms thriving and our agricultural heritage strong. So next time you’re reaching for dairy, go local—you’ll taste the difference and feel good about it!