Old Chatham Sheepherding Company Healthy Sheep Milk Yogurt Now Available in the Western United States United Natural Foods Expands Distribution to Retailers & Food Service Customers August 26, 2005 -- Old Chatham, New York, -- This month, United Natural Foods will expand its distribution of the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company's premium sheep milk yogurt to include the Rocky Mountain and West Coast States. Demand for the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company's award winning artisanal sheep milk cheese and yogurt have been steadily growing on both the East and West coasts and every place in-between since 1994. United Natural Foods will now introduce the sheep milk yogurt in the West. "Our sheep milk yogurt is unique, flavorful and nutritious," says Old Chatham Sheepherding Company owners, Tom & Nancy Clark. "We're eager to bring our premium farm fresh yogurt to health conscious consumers in the Rocky Mountain and Western States." Old Chatham Sheepherding Company is one of only a few producers of sheep milk products in North America. With a herd of 1200 East Friesian sheep, which graze on over 600 organically managed grass pastures in Old Chatham, New York, the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company is the largest producer of sheep milk in the country. While sheep milk production is relatively new to the U.S., many European countries have been producing sheep milk products for centuries. Old Chatham Sheepherding Company yogurts have been featured in the annual "Top 100" in Saveur Magazine. In a blind tasting, Food & Wine Magazine selected Old Chatham yogurt as one of the best. The yogurt was also the first place winner at the 2002 American Cheese Society cheese Competition. It is available in 6 oz. and 16 oz plain and 6 oz. with New York State 100% maple syrup. New ginger sheep milk yogurt will be available soon. Sheep milk yogurt from Old Chatham Sheepherding Company has unique health benefits. Protein in sheep milk yogurt is double that of yogurt made from cow's milk and the calcium content is 50% greater. The Old Chatham yogurt is highest in the B vitamin group, particularly B12, as well as vitamins A, C, D & E. It is also highest in niacin, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus and zinc. There are no dangers from growth hormones with this yogurt. Old Chatham yogurt has the lowest sugar content and is 1/3 lower in sodium when compared to leading yogurt brands. Calories in the Old Chatham sheep milk full fat yogurt are similar to most low fat yogurts on the market and Old Chatham yogurt has significantly fewer calories than full fat cow milk yogurts. For even fewer calories, spoon off the cream layer on the top. Old Chatham yogurt is gluten free. Sheep milk is higher in total solids than cow or goat milk, resulting in a natural, thick creamy yogurt made with only milk and active cultures. Old Chatham Sheepherding Company is 100% natural and does not use gums, fiber, gelatin, pectin, powdered milk or stabilizers. There is no refined sugar, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors added. Creamy and delicious, the yogurt is an ideal addition to meatless or lacto-vegetarian diets as well as a great cooking substitute for creams, butters and milks. It does not break down at high temperatures. (British Sheep Dairying Association). Customers of the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company unable to tolerate cow milk products report that they can eat sheep milk products. Old Chatham sheep milk yogurt contains live, active cultures L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus, and Bifidus, which promote healthy digestion, protecting the intestinal tract and increasing resistance to immune related diseases and pathogens. (Simin Nikbin Meydani, Ph.D., in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.) Sheep milk is 25% higher in medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and can provide energy without laying down fat. Fats in sheep milk contain stearic acid, a neutral saturated fat that doesn't affect cholesterol or formation of plaque in the arteries. (www.foodscience.ac.nz/school_science/sheep-milk.html). Similar to olive oil, it is beneficial for health condition including malabsorption syndromes, child epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, gallstones and coronary bypass. Studies also indicate that yogurt and dairy products high in calcium may reduce the risk of obesity. (New York Times, June 14, 2005, "All That Calcium and Maybe Weight Loss Too." Jane E. Brody). Research suggests that eating yogurt containing L. acidophilus may decrease candidal colonization (yeast growth) and infection in women. (National Yogurt Association). It has also been reported that the milk from grass-fed animals is higher in the desirable omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Some literature suggests that CLA in sheep's milk may slow the growth of breast cancer. (Jahreis, G. et al, The potential anticarcinogenic conjugated linoleic acid in milk of different species: cow, goat, ewe, sow, mare, woman." Nutr Res 1999. 19:1541-9). To maintain the highest quality, Old Chatham's cheeses and yogurts are made on the farm using fresh sheep milk from the Old Chatham flock. The milk is not altered and is utilized in the yogurt as nature provides. Old Chatham Sheepherding Company yogurts have a shelf life, from the time of production, of 7-8 weeks. Seven days a week, the sheep are hand-tended with loving care by the farm's seven skilled employees. "We are diligent about the health and care of our animals and the meticulous manner in which we produce the milk for cheese and yogurt, " comment the Clarks. "With this attention to detail and Old World yogurt making methods, we find we can make a superior product." Old Chatham Sheepherding Company yogurt and cheese have been recently recommended in the best selling book, "The Maker's Diet" written by Jordon S. Rubin, N.M.D., Ph.D. and are Maker's Diet approved products. For further information about the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company yogurt and cheese, please call 1-888-Sheep-60 or visit www.blacksheepcheese.com. For health related information, the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company works with Professor David P. Brown, Senior Extension Associate and Food Scientist at Cornell University. Retail and food service customers may call United Natural Foods at 1-800-762-0211 for further information or visit www.unfi.com.