Waitrose milk
Our Select Farm scheme guarantees top quality milk, and a fair deal for farmers.
All Waitrose milk comes from a small group of farms, who belong to our Select Farm scheme.
What is the Select Farm milk scheme?
It’s a unique, long-term partnership between Waitrose and a carefully-chosen group of British farmers who produce milk exclusively for us. The farmers commit to maintaining exemplary standards of quality, animal welfare and environmental protection, and in return, we pay a premium over the market price.
Does Waitrose know all the farmers?
Yes we do, and we meet them regularly, along with our milk processor, Dairy Crest. Having this kind of long-term relationship means we can all plan for the future, with the aim of raising standards even higher over time.
Does Select Farm mean better milk?
Select Farm quality standards are higher than any others in the dairy industry, making Select Farm the best milk you can buy. We can trace every pint back to the farm that produced it.
What about animal welfare standards?
Select Farms are committed to the animal welfare principles known as the Five Freedoms:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst;
- Freedom from discomfort;
- Freedom from pain, injury and distress;
- Freedom to express normal behaviour;
- Freedom from fear and distress.
For example, farmers must ensure cows are comfortable and have access to grazing during the course of the year.
How does Select Farm help protect the environment?
Because it offers farmers a long-term relationship and fair prices, Select Farm enables them to invest in sustainable farming methods, that work in harmony with the enviroment. For example, each farm has an action plan to provide natural habitats for wildlife. Read more about WildCare, our commitment to wildlife.
What about Waitrose organic milk?
Our organic milk comes from Coombe Farms in Somerset, and is bottled at their dairy, or at our own Leckford Estate dairy in Hampshire. It’s produced and bottled to Soil Association standards, and we can trace every pint right back to the farm.
Is Waitrose milk homogenised?
Most of our Select Farm milk is homogenised, but we also offer a two-pint ‘Traditional Milk’ which has the cream on the top, as does our Organic Milk.
Can I freeze milk?
Yes, but if freezing four or six pint containers, we recommend you pour a little out first, as the milk will expand when it freezes.
Meet the farmer
Brian Barnett, one of our Select Farm producers, who’s been dairy farming in Oxfordshire for over 30 years, says the scheme is unique in British farming:
Waitrose values quality milk, animal welfare and the environment,’ he says. ‘It pays a fair price for the higher standards expected, without charging customers extra.