Story & Photos By Art Petrosemolo
SHREWSBURY – When Jeanine Doody moved from northern Westchester County, to Shrewsbury, about a year ago, she searched high and low for a home delivery service specializing in glass bottled, farm fresh milk and was amazed to find that this type of service did not exist. “I believed quite strongly that there was a need for this type of service,” she said, smiling. “Bottled milk stays fresher longer, stays colder and tastes better. I was determined to do something about it.”
Hudson Milk Company had delivered Battenkill Creamery’s dairy products to her former home in Bedford, NY, some 40 miles north of the Tappen Zee Bridge and Doody knew that was the only choice if she was going to try to start up a similar type of business in her new community.
Battenkill Creamery is a small family run dairy that built their own bottling facility. They pride themselves on getting their milk from cows to bottles in less than eight hours.
In less than a year, this nurse practitioner, with the support of husband Chris and her five children, has found the time to establish Two River Dairy. After realizing that many of her new Shrewsbury-area parents were also looking for locally sourced, fresh products for their families she was even more determined to start the business. Her new friends encouraged her go for it and were some of her first customers. “The outpouring of support from the community and so many of our new friends has been incredible!” However, being excited and building a business are two different things, Doody stressed. In June of 2015, Doody bought a refrigerated van and starting taking (on-line) orders for milk, butter and a small list of select local products including fresh smoked salmon. Regional suppliers included Battenkill Valley Creamery of Salem, NY; Meadow Creek Farm of Pleasant Valley, NY; Kriemhild Creamery of Hamilton, NY; and Trappers Honey of Clarksburg, NJ.
With some modest local marketing through brochures placed strategically in the area, she soon was on the radar of local and regional media who did stories and photos about the operation over the summer. When asked how the business works, Doody replied, “We pick up all our orders from suppliers on Tuesday and a close family friend, David Lyon (of Maplewood NJ) and I deliver to insulated milk boxes or coolers on customers’ porches during the early morning hours Wednesday.” Everyone was thrilled, she said, “as it had been years since our area had a local dairy delivery service and the community has just embraced us with open arms.” She now manages a growing business delivering fresh dairy and other regionally sourced products to the doorsteps of many homes and a few businesses in the community.
Known affectionately to her children’s friends as “the milk mom,” Doody has found the time to locally source foods she feels families are looking for. “I want to bring high quality foods that customers can feel good about feeding to their families.
“The publicity gave us a boost,” Doody said. “It gave us visibility which helped increase the customer base just as I was finding new suppliers to add new products to our dairy offerings.”
The dairy has recently established relationships with Double Brook Farm in Hopewell and Dreyer Farms in Cranford. “Double Brook Farm,” said Doody, “is a sustainable meat and vegetable farm dedicated to bringing the best products to their community.” For her customers, it means soups, sauces, homemade pastas, dressings, and fresh turkeys. Dreyer Farms is another family operation with a very active CSA (community shared agriculture) program that shares a similar philosophy about sourcing high quality products from local farms whenever possible. “The opportunity to work with both of these businesses holds so much potential.”
Doody is cautious and wants to grow the product line very deliberately and with care. She hopes to be able to provide fresh turkeys with all the trimmings and pies too – just in time for the holidays.
The dairy also will be adding organic yogurts both Greek and traditional from Maple Hill Creamery, spiced apple cider from a regional orchard and Battenkill Creamery’s famous Egg Nog- a close second to their beloved chocolate milk.
“This is so exciting for me,” Doody said, because it is a huge step in bringing locally sourced food into the community. Doody feels fortunate to be realizing her dream for Two River Dairy and in some ways exceeding the original intention by partnering with more local farmers. “It all began with a conversation and has unfolded so naturally. It’s as though it was meant to be,” said Doody.
Doody’s passion to obtain the best products is what drives her as the business expands into new areas in New Jersey including Summit, Maplewood, Short Hills and other neighboring towns, all in less than a year.
Doody continues to reach out to local farms that are seeking an outlet to distribute their products and adds new items as they become available.
“It’s old school quality and freshness with the help of modern technology” Doody smiles. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The Two River Dairy website is www.tworiverdairy.com.
