Bravo Raw Milk Moms!

In your face, FDA!

The Raw Milk Freedom Riders will be hosting another event today (Dec. 8), taking raw milk from a farm in Wisconsin to Chicago, and then consuming said product openly.  Here is their press release.  A bold statement from that release:


Chicago, IL—On Thursday, December 8, a group of mothers will risk arrest and other penalties by purchasing fresh, unprocessed milk from a small farm in Wisconsin, transporting it to Chicago’s Independence Park and distributing the milk to other mothers who need it for their families from 11:30am-2:00pm.


Why should such a seemingly innocent act risk arrest? Federal law 21 CFR § 1240.61 prohibits interstate movement and distribution of raw milk for human consumption. This U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation applies to individuals, or “agents” acting on their behalf. The mothers who purchase the milk will be acting as “agents” on behalf of other mothers who cannot make the trip.


Here the "Moms" let it be known that they are fully aware of the legalities and possible punishment involved in such an act.  Yet, they are not dismayed...such bravery!  When consumers truly desire a product, they will seek it out even if it means participating in the "black market."

Raw milk?...Let me check

the other side!

I have spoken to several women in my job who have been driven underground to get their raw milk, due to state law prohibiting the sale of such product in stores here in Kansas.  One described how she meets her "dealer" in an unspecified location- where he gives her the "good stuff" and she pays him there on the street.  What a joke!  She should be able to buy this in our store, but endless regulations keep us from being able to satisfy our customers.

On that note, I have requests from customers (usually those I have never seen) about once a month inquiring about raw milk.  I tell them state law prohibits the sale of this product in stores- to which they almost always roll their eyes and shake their head.  Of course, I always follow that up with the suggestion that the government is "just trying to keep you safe...from yourself!"  Almost always- in a hushed tone like they are trying to solicit drugs- they then ask me, "Do you know where I can get some?"  "No", I tell them- and that they should seek out a local farmer who would be willing to sell them the milk.  I never see these customers again.

If we did carry raw milk, we would in all likelihood have a new regular customer- the best type of patron one could hope for.  Why does the government prohibit us from selling this product?  There is a growing market out there for raw milk and we are not being allowed to capitalize on it.  What a shame!