Snowed in, and writing about yogurt.

A few months back we visited our old stomping grounds of Brattleboro, VT, for a wedding. Every time we go there, or even just pass through, we're fondly reminded of the different pace of life there. It's an anything-goes type of place, but not in that elitist sort of way where you have to be weird to be normal. Come to think of it, the last time we drove up main street, a father with huge hair ran across the street with his young son (who was wearing an animal tail) into a shop called "Knit or Dye." And, it just was what it was.

I used to work at the Brattleboro Food Co-op; a vegan paradise for me at the time. I still favor the food there (grocery and deli) more than anywhere- partially because it's a great selection of really tasty stuff, and partially because of the nostalgia factor. On our last trip, I decided to bring back a quart of yogurt, since I buy one each week to eat at work. "Butterworks Farm Maple Yogurt." Can't get more VT than that. Well, breakfast time on Monday morning, I was anticipating a little "bring-me-back" moment when I took my first bite of creamy, organic, mapley goodness. Instead, I almost gagged. I don't know what happened to that yogurt on its journey from cow to container, but it wasn't pleasant. There are some foods that we Americans have over-processed, over-sugared, or watered down into a version so tame and bland, we're completely missing the true food experience. I've had "real" yogurt before. Some can be sour or strong, but it's more in the way of "this is different," than "this is BAD." My maple yogurt was just wrong, and I was sad.

I've been on a kick lately of seeking out help when I'm dissatsisfyed with a product. I had never been one to contact customer service over anything, until I started hearing all the ridiculous emails coming in to my friend and cubicle neighbor at work, who answers customer emails of all kinds. Like, "I've lost weight and can't afford all new clothes- will you take back my ratty old extra large tee shirts and give me brand new ones in a smaller size?" That kind of ridiculous request. So, I figured, if that lady can get a tee shirt or two out of the company I work for, perhaps my justified complaints may see some results if I'm nice about it. So far, Starbucks is the only company that didn't do something for me. (Please keep that in mind the next time you're deciding where to get a coffee.)

Well, just yesterday, after I'd long forgot about my letter to Butterworks Farm (which I had to snail-mail, as they don't have an email address), I got a response back. A two page, hand written letter by the founder of the farm, including a 5 dollar bill so "I can either try another one or buy some more Stoneyfield. [The farm is] too small for the coupon thing." He also told me,"we are not the least bit put off if you like Stoneyfield yogurt better. We are number one here in Vermont."

There's just something about the proud, yet non-defensive reply I received. This farmer hasn't had any customer service training, and he didn't have to hem and haw over what to do about my letter. He simply gave me my money back, along with the tip that the State St. co-op in Concord sells his yogurt. If the world was run like Butterworks Farm, we'd all be in a much better place. Joking aside, most of Vermont pretty much runs the same way, and the natural, simplistic zen of it all is why I'll always long to return.

(http://butterworksfarm.com/)