Last Saturday a group from Sustainable Redhill went for a visit to St Joan’s Dairy. The dairy is the only artisan ice cream maker in Surrey, having downsized from a full dairy herd a few years ago.
We all got to meet the “girls” and see how the ice cream was made. Using automated milking system and an amazing ice cream machine, they are able to get from cow to freezer in under an hour!
We were also able to gain an insight into the tough economics of dairy farming and the unfair trading contracts with the supermarkets. Having switched to production of just ice cream, St Joan’s are able to sell directly to local restaurants, farm shops and directly to you and I from their farm on Flanchford Road.
The dairy herd also have lots of space to roam around in the fields around the farm. Farming under these low-intensity methods, with no artificial nasties added to the food, is great for the cows, better for the environment and of course contributes to a fantastic tasting ice cream. For more information on the farm please follow the link below.
http://www.saintjoansfarm.com/
Thank you to St Joan’s for hosting us!
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