Top chefs support raw-milk crusader

December 21, 2006, Robert Benzie, Queen's Park Bureau Chief, The Toronto Star

Farmer fighting to lift ban ends hunger strike during demonstration at Queen's Park

Flanked by some of Canada's most famous chefs, raw-milk crusader Michael Schmidt ended his four-week hunger strike yesterday at a Queen's Park demonstration.

"I did not expect at all such a massive and overwhelmingly positive response," said Schmidt, whose farm was raided Nov. 21 by natural resources ministry inspectors in a crackdown on unpasteurized milk. He is charged with distributing raw milk illegally.

A gastronomic dream team of friends, supporters and customers – and a cow named Amelie – rallied to the side of the Owen Sound-area farmer, whose weight dropped to 200 pounds from 250 pounds during his protest fast.

Michael Stadtlander, Marc Thuet, Jamie Kennedy, Chris McDonald and other celebrity chefs were on hand to hail Schmidt and present him with a large basket of their creations.

He opted for a bowl of soup, instead, having consumed only one glass of raw milk a day for the past month.

Premier Dalton McGuinty, citing public health concerns, has rejected calls to allow unpasteurized milk to be legally sold in Ontario. But many influential supporters insist Schmidt's milk is safe and they have been urging officials to stop hassling him.

"There are nine states in the United States who are allowed to sell raw milk and, of course, countries like England, Germany, France, Italy all have raw milk," noted Stadtlander, whose Eigensinn Farm in Collingwood has been named one of the world's 10 best restaurants.

The chefs don't serve raw milk at their restaurants, but many use artisan cheeses made from it, which is legal.

Kennedy, a Toronto icon whose restaurants have been among the city's best for a generation, said the laws against raw milk date back to 1938, when refrigeration and testing were not as sophisticated.

"It's time to look at that statute again and perhaps amend it to reflect more modern techniques in processing milk," he said.

Kate Sorbara, wife of Finance Minister Greg Sorbara and a Schmidt friend and raw milk proponent, also attended the rally and urged the government to change its thinking.

Schmidt is to appear again in court next month.

But Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky said the government isn't changing its mind.

"It's been made very clear by health professionals ... that raw milk is not good for people," said Dombrowsky.