FAQ

Frequently Asked Milk Questions

I purchased Neutral 2% Milk. Did I just single-handedly solve the climate crisis? 

Single-handedly, no. But together, we can fight climate change!

By purchasing a carton of any Neutral product, you’ve contributed to radically reducing carbon emissions that pollute the atmosphere and cause it to trap heat, making our planet considerably hotter over time. Accredited climate scientists across the globe agree - The buildup of trapped pollutants in our atmosphere not only leads to heat waves but to more dastardly global climate disasters like tropical storms, drought, and the destruction of wildlife ecosystems. Cow products make up nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions so Neutral started with dairy.

Our mission is about more than offsetting our carbon footprint. We want to eliminate it, entirely. Investing in on-farm carbon reduction work is the key to shrinking the footprint of our agricultural products, part of the larger battle against climate change.

What does carbon neutral mean? 

Carbon neutral means net zero carbon emissions produced in the creation of a product throughout its lifecycle. To ensure Neutral products really are carbon neutral, we began by evaluating the greenhouse gases emitted at every stage of our product’s lifecycle. Since 72% of the greenhouse gases embodied in Neutral’s products are emitted at the farm, that’s where we focus our direct investment, oversight and monitoring of carbon reduction projects. These projects utilize diverse carbon reduction tactics related to feeding strategies, nutrient and manure management, cover crops, and conservation tillage.

Ok, so what does it mean to be “certified” carbon neutral?

To us, being certified carbon neutral means that all of the science and math behind our claims have been rigorously examined and ultimately verified by an independent third-party. Neutral products are certified carbon neutral by SCS Global Services. While many carbon claims are self-reported, being certified means that our carbon claims have passed a stringent set of requirements defined and verified by independent standard bearers. This provides an added level of conviction that our products have not increased greenhouse gas emissions. Our most recent certification from SCS can be found here.

What’s a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint includes the total greenhouse gases emitted from the entire lifecycle of any product or service. For Neutral, that means considering every aspect of our milk, from before it’s even milk: emissions of the fertilizer used on farms, the cows and greenhouse gasses they make, transportation to the bottling plant, energy to bottle and pack it, the packaging it’s placed in, your trip from the store to home, and the disposing of the carton when you’re finished.

How did you calculate the carbon footprint of Neutral products?

Calculating Neutral’s footprint isn’t just counting cow burps and farts. Although, that’s part of it. We collaborate with top veteran researchers like Dr. Greg Thoma, an expert on the carbon footprint of U.S. dairy, to develop a Life Cycle Assessment Model for Neutral that provides robust, conservative estimates of climate impact throughout each of our product’s lifecycle.

What is a carbon offset?

A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases made to compensate for emissions made elsewhere. While we work with farmers to reduce the carbon footprint of our milk, we recognize the role that high-quality offsets can play to make our milk 100% carbon neutral. We purchase offsets from pioneering dairy farmers who are turning cow manure into renewable energy right there on their farm via a piece of equipment called an anaerobic digester.

Where does Neutral acquire its offsets?

Neutral exclusively acquires offsets that are verified by the Climate Action Reserve (CAR), American Carbon Registry, and VERRA. Verifying our offsets through accredited auditors ensures the carbon offset projects we support are real, additional, permanent, verifiable, and enforceable. It also minimizes any risk of invalid creation or double counting of Climate Reserve Tons.

What products does Neutral offer?

A herdsworth of responsibly produced milk products await in the dairy section of your favorite store. With each purchase you can enjoy having contributed to an agricultural revolution, arming farmers with greenhouse gas-busting farming practices, and creating a sustainable future for all of us. Try our lineup of Carbon Neutral products: Organic Whole Milk, Organic 2% Milk, and Organic Half & Half (in select markets for now). If you’re interested in foodservice products, email us at hello@eatneutral.com.

Where can I purchase Neutral products?

Neutral milk is available at retailers nationwide, including Sprouts, Whole Foods Market and Target, to name a few.

Visit our Shop page to see the other places where Neutral is carried.

Is your milk pasteurized?

Yes, our milk is pasteurized in accordance with the strictest of local safety regulations. In nearly all regions outside of the Pacific Northwest, we ultra-pasteurize our milk which means bringing the milk to a minimum of 280 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 seconds before being cooled to the required 39 degrees Fahrenheit. In Oregon and Washington, Neutral milk is High Temperature Short Time (HTST) pasteurized which means it’s brought to a minimum of 161 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds before being cooled to 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Ultra-pasteurized milk results in a longer shelf life, but both pasteurization processes result in a product that’s ready for you to drink and is 99.9% bacteria free.

Is Neutral milk organic?

Neutral offers USDA Organic certified options in Whole Milk, 2% Milk, and Half & Half varieties. That means our cows are organically raised, without GMOs, pesticides, antibiotics, or added hormones.

What does pasture-raised mean?

After studying non-stop about agricultural solutions to climate change, our pasture-raised cows revel in recess. That means that during the grazing season our cows spend anywhere from 120 days (National Organic Program Minimum) to 200 days a year out in the pasture, pending regional weather conditions, where they are free to roam and forage for grass. We even have some farmers that are nearing 300 days on pasture… incredible!

Is pasture-raising cows better for the environment?

We think so! Pasture-raised cows can be better for the environment since they can roam freely, eat the plants they naturally digest, and improve the fertility of the soil with their manure.

What breed of cows does Neutral milk come from?

Neutral milk primarily comes from both Holstein & Jersey Cows.

What farms does Neutral organic milk come from?

To bring you the best organic milk, we work with the best organic dairy farmers across the country. Most of our famers are family-run operations going back several generations with long histories of sustainable agricultural practices.

How are the cows on your farms treated?

Every organic farm we source from emphasizes preventative care, including measures like more one-on-one attention, natural supplements, and a balanced diet to help prevent health issues. These farms also embrace fundamental tenets like administering vaccines, providing the right care if a cow gets sick, and upholding the firmest policies against tail docking and abuse. The farms build further on these foundational elements with operational imperatives such as the practice of milking less, which supports improved physiological welfare for every cow. Not to mention, our local farms are significantly smaller than the national average which means the herd size of our cows is also smaller. That leaves plenty of extra time for love and care for the herd.

Is there any connection to a band named Neutral Milk Hotel?

The Neutral Team discussed masterfully producing a multitude of psychedelic indie rock albums like our friends in Neutral Milk Hotel. Despite our musical talent we prioritized revolutionizing carbon neutral milk products first. That said, you’re not the only one wondering…