Which is best: Local home delivered non organic milk vs supermarket, plastic packaged organic??

[GColdtimer]

We have just started having our milk delivered but the organic is so expensive (about 75 per pint and we go through loads).

What do you think is better? To buy local non-organic or to buy organic but buy it from the supermarket in horrible plastic containers?

I can't decide....

Listened to part of a programme about this sort of thing on radio 4 last week and it's all such a minefield. Off the top of my head I would say local non-organic, think it's defo better for the local economy.

l;olcal non organic

thast what I buy down here anyway

On the basis that I've heard all dairy farmers, organic or not, are ripped off by the supermarkets who can basically name their price for the supply, I've gone for local delivered.

Local as in from a farm where you can see for yourself that there are good standards in animal welfare?

I have to be honest, I would still stick with organic (we have ours delivered and it's not that expensive though ).

There are studies starting to show that organic milk contains more omega 3, naturally (ie not added to boost its nutrition value).

However well run the farm I am always worried about the routine dosing of ABs to prevent mastitis setting in. Organic farms are not allowed to do this.

agree is a minefield. I've started buying non local organic in the supermarket, as farmers get paid a fair price for organic milk, whereas the price per litre paid for non organic does not do more than cover costs.

probably local non-organic

but our plastic bottles get recycled and the organic stuff in th supermarket is local-ish...

it is a minefield isn't it?

Getting it delivered saves fridge space though.

Depends what you mean - better for what?

Better in terms of health (as there are studies that show organic milk has stuff in that non-organic milk does not) - organic without doubt.

Better for environment - plastic containers not good and carbon footprint issues with where it has come from. However, I did read a long time ago that there are huge environmental issues with milk in reuseable glass bottles because of the detergents and energy used to clean them. Can you get organic milk in bio-degradable cartons from the supermarket or a local specialised shop?

Think I would go for organic over local.

Oh hassled, you think al farmers get ripped off. Hmm, is a minefield.

Another damned if you do, damned if you don't dilemma. Only 2 solutions - give up milk, or keep a cow in the back garden.

Delivery in plastic containers (we recycle too) is an improvement on the Rachel's we previously had, in non-recyclable tetrapaks.
Electric milk-float also a good low-footprint way of supplying goods AFAIK

Organic. I don't think all organic stuff is necessarily better for you but from what I've read milk (and any dairy product really) is much better organic than not. Not full of growth hormones and antibiotics and more omega 3. My DDs can taste the difference - freaks .

I would say local non-o delivered.

Got to be good from a local economy/food miles pov. Also any money you are not giving to tesco's et al is surely a good thing.

I have mine delivered and have silver top for ds and it comes with the creamy bit on top...surely that has got to be v. good for him!! None of the supermarket milk has a creamy top even the organic...why is that then??

I would also think that the glass bottles better than the plastic as even though have to be washed they are re-used 1000's of times...each plastic bottle has an energy cost for production and recycling.

My milkman also sells local potatoes and free range eggs which is v. handy too.

I walk everywhere so is also a bonus not to have buggy laden down with heavy milk cartons (and potatoes!)

kwym - but waitrose org milk does have this (ds doesn't like it though! )

so I'd say organic(soil assoc definitely).Too many nasties in non-org milk and it's been found that org milk has higher levels of omega

hairybabysmum, the presence of cream on top of milk depends on whether it has been homogenised or not. Some organic dairies do it, others don't. Most non-organic dairies do homogenise f/f and s/sk milk, sadly

Another vote for delivered - milk bottles are recycling at its best as they are not broken and re-made = low-energy.

gosh I hate the creamy bit on top so am v pro-homogenisation albeit with organic milk (1.136 litres of it on my desk )

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to carry on getting it delivered but go for organic whole milk for dd and non organic semi skimmed for us. I don't drink much of it anyone, its mostly for dh and he doesn't care!

I do recycle the plastic but I hate seeing how much of it we get rid of. And I hate lugging it from the supermarket. And I hate putting money in their pockets so they can screw the farmers.

Mmm, I think I might have answered my own question.

i had the problem of a whole recycling box full of plastic cartons after try rachel's tetra-pac (OMG - sooooo wasteful!).

then someone suggested that diairycrest.co.uk can tell you whether your milkman delievers in your area.

i've now got organic milk on the doorstep, 12 bottles delievered 3 times a week.

i'm a happy-bunny, more expensive but in terms of health and environment much better.

NB Friend told me that because lots of non-organic cows have mastitis, they actually have a puss-acceptability-level!!!!
yuck!