At one time, I was an average grocery shopper checking the big-name stores for the best deals to be found each Saturday. When the pandemic hit, the closure of all else gave me time to rethink where my hard-earned food dollar was going. “Curbside pickup” was fast becoming a keyword in my vocabulary and I noticed a few things I had overlooked when meandering through a cold, connectionless chain store on prior occasions. That’s when I found Little Brown Cow.
This dairy farm and store at 234 Cockshutt Rd., south of Brantford had been in operation for some time before I stumbled upon it. I drove by it so many times it seemed odd I hadn’t once set foot in it. With the desire to get away from online shopping queues I decided to walk through its doors. And, from that first experience it became obvious what I had hit upon. The Little Brown Cow owner/operators and their small full-time staff embody the effort and worth poured into all they do and provide. They even managed to foster people like me into the concept of learning more about farm-to-fork – something that prior to Covid, I had only seen referenced in Instagram accounts and quickly dismissed as an unattainable lifestyle change for me. Expensive, and out of my league.
With their incredible eye for the customer’s grocery dollar value and a passion for small-scale, conscious farming and food chain management, Little Brown Cow produces their own beef, honey, milk and cheese products. What they don’t produce for sale themselves they’ve sourced from local farmers and growers within the best local radius possible, making food transparency their standard model of marketing and consumer education at the same time. And it’s working.
With their concept of leaving behind the stale process of factory farming, they’ve created a customer experience that is more compassionate, bridging food education gaps in the process of realizing their own dreams. Starting out very small, with only curds and soft cheeses, Little Brown Cow conceived and grew something innovative and unique. They interact with their customers, forming a relationship, getting their input and providing the best bang for their local buck. Their un-homogenized dairy remains a top seller and their cheese products are incomparable in taste. Thanksgiving Cheese – a triangular-cut portion of bliss in my books – is nicely flavoured with sage, smells like a delicious turkey dinner in dairy form, and is the perfect addition to any standard snack tray or high-end charcuterie board you could dream of. And don’t overlook their soft and creamy Dillicious cheese! This goes so good overtop a baked potato you’re going to wonder where it’s been your whole life.
Food trends continue to evolve, and being a conscious consumer is one of them. I’d like to think it’s not so much a trend as an awareness, however, and Little Brown Cow works its magic in that connection between the consumer, themselves, and their fellow local farmers. The store is consistently stocked with vegetables and fruits that are in-season. They have an array of sauces, spices, and meats. And what you feel you may not be able to cook so well they’ve produced for sale in their on-site commercial kitchen. Mouth-watering meals like pasta dishes, stews, and mains that are ready-made with fresh, local ingredients are all waiting in-store. How fine is that?!
Customers are encouraged to ask about the products that are sold at Little Brown Cow, including the production and farming practices of not only the owners but the local suppliers they work with. It allows for an experience you won’t find in the big chains that surround us, telling the full story of what and how your food is produced, right down to learning about the families that do the work. It’s a farm-to-fork experience I’ve come to understand and appreciate thanks to them. If you haven’t yet visited, they’re located at 234 Cockshutt Rd. in Brant County. For updates on hours of operation, sales, and great local farm produce and products, follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts. You’ll be glad you did!
Uncommonly Grand 