(Bozeman) — In a quest to create a more traditional product that takes milk drinkers back to a time when milk was delivered to the doorstep with a layer of cream at the top of the bottle, Darigold Montana has begun producing its first Cream-on-Top milk. Stores throughout Montana and northern Wyoming are the first to carry Darigold’s Cream-on-Top products — 100 percent Montana-made in Darigold’s Bozeman plant with milk from Montana dairies.

“We have 31 dairy farmers in the state who supply us with the best product we could ask for,” said Scott Kiilsgaard, Bozeman’s plant manager. “And the Cream-on-Top milk allows us to maintain the milk’s most natural qualities.”

Cream-on-Top milk is pasteurized, like all Darigold’s dairy products, but not homogenized. Skipping the homogenization process, which breaks up the milk’s fat cells by applying hydraulic pressure, allows the fat (or cream) to rise to the top of the milk — just like in the old days.

“The milk’s appearance, taste and smell is bringing back all kinds of feelings of nostalgia — if you’re old enough to remember a time when the milk man brought a bottle to your door,” said Vern Bowden, Darigold Montana’s sales account manager. “And if you’re not, you’ll still appreciate its natural flavor and full-body taste.”

Darigold’s Cream-on-Top milk, available in both 2% and whole milk, can be found in select, Super 1, Harvest Foods, Van’s, IGA, Town & Country and Rosauers stores, in addition to many independent grocers throughout Montana. In northern Wyoming, it can be found in several IGA and SuperValu stores. The full list of stores carrying Darigold’s Cream-on-Top milk can be found online.

“Montana/northern Wyoming is the test market for the product,” said Bowden. “If it does well here, Darigold will consider expanding its Cream-on-Top product line to other parts of the Northwest.”

Kiilsgaard is pleased with initial product orders and added, “We have 28 employees in Bozeman, and it’s important to us to continue to develop new products that consumers will love and to maintain the absolute best quality — not only for the vitality of the plant but for the Montana families and farmers who count on us.”