Straus Family Creamery has a lot to celebrate this year! From its 25th anniversary in business to the upcoming construction of a new facility and new products, the company is ready for its busiest year yet! Founder and CEO Albert Straus took a moment to fill us in on all the exciting events taking place for the company.
“We’re excited to reach this major milestone, our 25th year in business,” he said. “We know there are still challenges that we need to overcome. We continue focusing on creating a replicative sustainable organic farming system that is both environmentally positive and economically viable.”
Construction of the new facility will begin this summer. Albert said the company’s current manufacturing facility in Marshall, California, is nearing full capacity utilization, and it’s also a long commute for many employees. The new facility in Rohnert Park will increase capacity, allowing for the introduction of new products to help sustain more organic family dairy farms in Marin and Sonoma Counties in Northern California.
“It will enable us to continue our innovation in sustainability, consistent with our history of doing business right by tapping new advancements in sustainable production processes,” Albert said. “Finally, it will significantly enhance our employees’ quality of life due to a shorter commute time.”
Construction is expected to be completed in 2020.
Straus Family Creamery recently updated its retail packaging as well to more clearly communicate its mission, brand benefits, and offer greater consistency across categories.
In the spring, Straus introduced three new ice cream flavors: Organic Chai Latte, Organic Vanilla Fudge Swirl, and Organic Maple Cream. The new flavors expand the company’s organic super premium ice cream offerings to 13-pint and six-quart offerings, all of which feature the pure, rich taste of Straus’ premium organic milk and cream from cows on family farm organic pastures.
Albert stated the ice cream showcases the distinctive sweet taste and creamy texture of Straus’ fresh organic milk and cream. There aren’t any artificial ingredients or coloring agents in any of the company’s organic dairy products.
The Chai Latte is a delicious blend of Indian spices, beloved in the traditional seasoned Indian tea. The Vanilla Fudge Swirl has a thick and rich chocolate fudge swirled into Straus Family Creamery award-winning vanilla ice cream. The Maple Cream features golden maple syrup in its sweet cream ice cream.
In response to the market, the three recent additions to Straus Family Creamery’s lineup of super premium organic ice cream are off to a strong start since introduced in March.
“Reception at the world’s largest natural, organic, and healthy products trade show—Natural Products Expo West in March was incredibly strong,” Albert said. “Feedback from consumers and grocery buyers was extremely positive, and the team even ran out of samples at the show’s Organic Tent."
On the specialty and wholesale side of its business, the company is introducing a new organic plain soft serve ice cream mix for culinary professionals.
This new item will allow chefs to create more innovative and savory flavors. Currently, Straus offers organic vanilla and organic chocolate soft serve for fast-casual and fine dining restaurants, ice cream shops, and more. Straus believes it offers the only organic soft serve ice cream in California.
Albert noted that his family and his company are proud pioneers of the organic dairy community. In an ever-changing milk market, the collaborative relationship between the creamery and the family farms, which supply its organic milk is essential to these farms remaining viable.
For any news on Straus Family Creamery and its products, keep checking back with Deli Market News.
