By Spencer Sterritt

Milk on tap: Parksville farm opens B.C.’s first on-site milk dispenser

Jan 4, 2018 | 4:14 PM

PARKSVILLE — Unhealthy drinks like pop can be found on tap virtually everywhere, so why not milk straight from the tap?

Morningstar Farm in Parksville saw how common milk dispensers were in Europe and decided to try to bring the trend to Canada. They’ve opened what’s believed to be B.C.’s first milk dispenser, where you can pour a litre of pasteurized milk for $2.

“We’re used to getting lots of things in bulk like water and soda and more recently, and in a more classy way, craft beer,” farm co-owner Raymond Gourlay said.

For him, coming onto a farm and getting milk directly reminds him of a timeless but forgotten tradition.

“People have been able in the past to get their milk in bottles delivered to their door. And we’re kind of going back to that, the access and proximity to the food source.”

exemption required

'Give the police the tools they need:' Provincial government again looking to ban public drug use

33m ago

24/7 support

Major supportive housing complex set to open in Nanaimo

2h ago

whale rescue

Killer whale calf trapped in B.C. swims out of lagoon

5h ago

It also provides a more environmentally-friendly way to get your milk, since it cuts down on their own packaging and what’s found in stores.

“Milk is almost always in a recyclable container, but re-usable is way better.”

In recent weeks, Gourlay said the profile of the family farm, which houses both the Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and MooBerry Winery, has risen dramatically.

Looking to the future, he said it will be a bright but challenging future for dairy farms hoping to install their own taps, since you can only legally sell pasteurized milk and there’s only a handful of able farms in the province.

“But there’s a growing number and I know of one or two other farms this year who will become part of that number. It’s exciting to think about the potential. We certainly love the idea of providing customers all over B.C. with more options for their milk and their food.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit