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Awards and Certifications
editKleinpeter Farms Dairy have received several awards and certifications. In total they have been recognized by twelve different organizations for their outstanding performance. These awards and certifications range from being recognized for their treatment of their cows to their conservation efforts and also for their outstanding business practices.[1]
American Humane Certified
editKleinpeter is American Human Certified. They were not only the first farm in history to receive a perfect score from this intense program, but they were also the first to receive a perfect score twice.Dairy Farms, Kleinpeter. "Kleinpeter Farm is American Humane Certified". Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref> The American Humane Association was the first certified program to ensure and protect the humane treatment of farm animals. This certification that Kleinpeter received is verification that producers' care and handle the cows at the farm in a manner that meets the science-based animal welfare standards of American Humane Association. The American Humane Certified standards are based on the Five Freedoms, which was created by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and also input from animal husbandry specialist, animal science experts, and veterinarians.[2]
Seal of Sustainability
editThe Sustainable Business Institute awarded Kleinpeter Farms Dairy with the Seal of Sustainability on April 20,2010 in Washington, D.C. This award is a nationally recognized icon of business sustainability. It helps the public to recognize businesses who have demonstrated commitment to conserving the environment and helps them be able to make and educated decision on where to purchase their goods and services. Kleinpeter was awarded this award for their innovative pollution prevention programs they have incorporated into their dairying practices. These practices are the following: a company wide recycling program that separates all recyclable waste from non-recyclable waste, a partnership with the city of Baton Rouge to promote recycling in the community where the advertisement is paid for by Kleinpeter, another recycling program where the company recycles all used light bulbs from the company and also ones from employees' homes, a system which captures all recyclable solid waste from the ice cream making process where they use the solid waste to fertilize the companies crops, and lastly an Ammonia Refrigeration Heat Recapture System which captures heat from the refrigerators used in the ice cream making to heat water used in the company in a more efficient way which has lowered electric energy consumption and fossil fuel consumption.[3]
DEQ Achievement Award
editLouisiana Department of Environmental Quality Achievement Award for Pollution Prevention in the medium business Category was awarded to Kleinpeter in 2010. This award was part of DEQ Leadership Program which is volunteer based and help promote a better and cleaner Louisiana. Kleinpeter Farms Dairy received this award for their continuing efforts in recycling, energy use, and waste management.[1]
LWF Governor's Conservation Achievement Award
editAwarded to Kleinpeter in 2007, this award promotes volunteer and professional excellence in conservation work through recognition. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation recognized Kleinpeter Farms "for producing high quality dairy products while minimizing impact to the environment through state of the art recycling and reuse of water and other resources used in the dairying process and practicing conservation on its 1,500 acre dairy farm in St. Helena Parish."[1]
Involvement in the Community
editKleinpeter Farms Dairy is a big advocate for buying local goods. The company itself turns to local companies to flavor their icecream like Aunt Sally’s provides the defining ingredient for Pralines & Cream, Elmer’s Candy for Gold Brick, Bruce Foods of New Iberia for Sweet Potato Pie, Community Coffee for Café au Lait and Bergeron Pecan Co. for Butter Pecan. Naturally, Kleinpeter’s Strawberry ice cream uses Ponchatoula strawberries, and almost all flavors are sweetened with Louisiana cane sugar. They do this in order to practice what they preach which is conservation of their environment. They could easily get cheaper strawberries from California, yet that would increase carbon foot-printing which is not something they would like to promote. Not only is it good for the environment, it also helps out smaller local businesses which in return helps Kleinpeter Farms out.[4]
Besides supporting local businesses in the community, Kleinpeter is also involved in over 300 charities. Helping feed the hungry is one of Kleinpeter's most dearest charities the company works to help out. The company goes to stores which sell their product and buys back post-dated milk to bring to food banks to help feed the hungry throughout Baton Rouge and New Orleans.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Dairy Farms, Kleinpeter. "Recognition and Awards". Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ^ Association, American Humane. "Farm Animal Welfare". Retrieved October 27, 2011.
- ^ Seal of Sustainability, SBI. "SBI Presents Seal of Sustainability to BAE Systems and Kleinpeter Farms Dairy". Retrieved November 14, 2011.
- ^ Rouge, Granola. "A Conversation with Jeff Kleinpeter about Sustainability, Tradition and Great Strawberries". Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ Living, New Orleans. "Got (Local) Milk". Retrieved November 18, 2011.