Kimball Brook Farm’s lineage of farmers has its roots nearly three generations back. At the beginning of the last century, just outside Amsterdam, Holland, J.D. DeVos’ grandfather helped his father run a 20-cow dairy farm. Together, the two milked all of their own cows and delivered their cream, milk, and butter to nearby towns, keeping a close connection to the land and its people.

When the DeVos family established itself in upstate New York in 1948, starting a dairy business was the logical next step. The DeVos family remained in the Empire State for nearly 20 years, working and growing, until the need for expansion sent them north. In 1968, the family purchased the farmhouse in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont that would become the nucleus of Kimball Brook Farm. It was here, under his father’s guidance, that J.D. DeVos learned the basics of farming.

J.D. and Cheryl DeVos bought Kimball Brook Farm from J.D.’s father in 1999, setting about improving its facilities and expanding the herd. After Cheryl attended a Northeast Organic Farmers Association conference, she realized the immense positive impact organic farming could have on both their business and the land. Shortly thereafter, the couple embarked on a three-year-long journey toward transitioning their farm to organic.

Kimball Brook has been a Certified Organic farm since 2005, producing tasty and wholesome grass-grazed dairy products. Their cows walk their pastures throughout the seven-month growing season, giving them exercise that supports their well-being while contributing to the health of their milk.

Today, Kimball Brook’s 955-acre farm is a thriving, all-organic dairy farm with a herd of more than 200 cows. With the opening of Green Mountain Organic Creamery, the DeVos’ latest venture, they hope to continue to be a source for healthful, local, organic milk and dairy products while continuing the DeVos family tradition.

Get ready for Hunger Mountain Coop's Truckload Sale June 7th, 8th and 9th! 

• Stock up on your favorite products and save up to 57% when you buy by the case!

• Discounted beer and wine also available!

• Frozen and shelf-stable pantry basics to choose from.

• Great staple items to choose from including Annies Mac and Cheese for 57% off retail prices, 51% off Bove's Pasta Sauces, and 47% off cases of Muir Glen Organic Diced Tomatoes!

Click here for a full list of products!

Dissatisfied with the granola options in their local grocery stores, Brattleboro-based Ingrid and Franklin Chrisco (pictured above) decided to start the True North Granola Company from their home kitchen in 2006 while still actively working as educators. They believed that their family and friends preferred the homemade granola recipes they had been baking for more than 30 years.

In the summer of 2006, the Chriscos began selling their “Go Nuts Granola” at the Brattleboro Area Farmers Market, and quickly it became the best seller there and at the local food co-op. Without solicitation, many customers would share, “True North Granola is the best [they] have ever had.”

Bolstered by excellent customer feedback, the Chriscos decided to create additional flavors and expand into other markets. They sell their granola to more than 40 co-ops across the country, including our own Hunger Mountain Coop. True North Granola offers six regular flavors and three that are gluten free. Two of the gluten-free flavors are also vegan.

Their home kitchen has been replaced with a commercial kitchen, but the granola is still made by hand, in small batches, and slow- baked. Retaining the original commitment to high-quality, healthy, homemade granola, every batch of True North’s granola is packed with flavor and all-natural ingredients.

True North Granola Company from Roger Smith Hotel on Vimeo.

True North Granola’s Guiding Principles

1. TrueNorthGranolaisacompanyinserviceto others. We will serve our customers well and build lasting, personal relationships with them.
2. True North Granola will offer only high- quality, healthy products by choosing only the highest-quality ingredients.
3. True North Granola will provide intense focus on quality control and consistent product delivery.
4. True North Granola will train employees, celebrate their accomplishments, and treat them well.
5. True North Granola will intentionally contribute to the healthy eating habits of children, students, and the community. We will do our part to reduce childhood obesity.
6. True North Granola will support the local economy by working with local vendors as much as possible.
7. True North Granola will not lose sight of its roots – exceptional products, quality control, and fantastic customer service.
8. “Slow and steady,” True North Granola will build a sustainable company, which will continue to provide jobs to local community members.

You can meet Franklin and Ingrid every Saturday from May through October at the Brattleboro Farmers Market or find their products in the gluten-free bulk foods section at The Coop.