Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve collected a list of our most commonly asked questions. 
Have a new one for us? Well, just ask!

About Kemps
How do I find out about Kemps Home Delivery?

You may inquire about Kemps Home Delivery by visiting www.milkmandelivers.com

Do you offer tours of your manufacturing plants or offices?

In order to ensure top quality food safety, public tours are not offered at any Kemps facility.

How can I get coupons for Kemps products?

We appreciate your interest in obtaining coupons for Kemps products. However, we do not maintain mailing lists or other means of distributing coupons. It’s best to check your Sunday newspaper supplements as we offer cents-off coupons on many of our products throughout the year.

I have a new product/marketing promotion/packaging design idea. How do I submit it to Kemps?

Thank you for wanting to share your idea with us. We truly enjoy hearing what our consumers think about Kemps products. Even though we appreciate your idea, we do not accept product or marketing ideas from consumers. Kemps employees devote a great deal of time and effort to developing new and improved products, packaging concepts, promotions and merchandising ideas that maintain the reputation of quality and innovation for which Kemps is known. Often, these ideas are in the developmental stage years before they make it to the shelves of your local grocery store. Therefore, we must depend on our staff to develop all new marketing and product ideas. If you do choose to forward any suggestions, they will be treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary.

We appreciate your support of Kemps products, and thank you understanding our position.

Food Safety
Which Kemps products are gluten-free?

Kemps products including milk, sour cream, cottage cheese and yogurt are gluten free.

Ice cream itself is gluten free but may contain inclusions which contain gluten.

Anyone looking for a gluten free product should avoid the following ice cream products:

  • ice cream sandwiches
  • ice cream cones

Ice cream flavors which have the following inclusions contain gluten:

  • apple crisp
  • brownie batter
  • brownie pieces
  • cake pieces
  • candies (may have a flour component that contains gluten)
  • cheesecake
  • cookie dough
  • cookie pieces
  • graham cracker
  • pie pieces
  • spumoni (the color contains gluten)

Products containing gluten are manufactured in the same manufacturing facility as gluten free products.

Kemp’s has always had strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to avoid cross-contact of our gluten free products with gluten and we continue to strengthen these practices.

The GMPs include employee training, strict raw material control, production schedule management and sanitation practices that include performing thorough equipment wash-downs to eliminate cross-contact of ingredients.

Are Kemps Ice Cream products safe for those with life threatening reactions to peanut/nut allergies?

We have an allergen control program in our ice cream plant. However, we do NOT have a dedicated line for nut containing products. We recommend that you consult with your doctor regarding the risk.

At our ice cream manufacturing facility, we do not use any tree nuts or peanuts on the equipment that produces IttiBitz flavors. In fact, IttiBitz flavors are manufactured in a separate room at our Rochester location that does not handle any tree nuts or peanuts.

If additional information is required, please contact Kemps Consumer Relations toll free at 1-800-726-6455.

In The Kitchen
How much potassium, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium is in an 8-ounce serving of milk?
Type of Milk  Potassium Phosphorus  Calcium Magnesium
Vitamin D 370 mg 228 mg 290 mg 33 mg
2% Reduced Fat 388 mg 232 mg 297 mg 33 mg
1% Lowfat 381 mg 235 mg 300 mg 33 mg
Fat-Free Skim 406 mg 247 mg 302 mg 33 mg
Can dairy products be frozen?

When frozen and thawed, most dairy products will separate and become watery and discolored.

How much Vitamin D is in Kemps milk?

There are 100 International Units of Vitamin D in Kemps skim, 1%, 2% and Vitamin D milk.  International Units represents 25% RDI.

What would you suggest to eat or drink that is a good source of calcium?

Milk! It’s a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which the body needs to absorb calcium. If you don’t care to drink milk, there are many ways to incorporate milk or other dairy products into your diet. Whipping up a smoothie with milk, bananas and ice, or a large decaffeinated café latte (which is made with lots of milk) are easy ways to get your three servings of dairy every day. Your body needs at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day, which is about the amount found in three serving of dairy products.

How many milligrams of calcium are in Kemps milk?

30% RDI of calcium represents 300 milligrams of calcium per 8-ounce serving of milk.  The amount of calcium in each type of milk varies slightly.  Eight ounces of Vitamin D milk contains 290 milligrams of calcium.  Eight ounces of 2% milk contains 297 milligrams of calcium.  Eight ounces of 1% milk contains 300 milligrams of calcium.  Eight ounces of skim milk contains 302 milligrams of calcium.  The reason that minerals vary with fat type is that the minerals are part of the milk solids, NOT the fat in the milk.  As the fat goes down, milk solids go up.

Why is milk good for you?

Milk is an excellent source of calcium and Vitamin D. It’s also a good source of other nutrients, such as protein and phosphorus that are necessary for strong bones and good health. Milk doesn’t have to be fattening. If you’re concerned about fat in milk, don’t be. Kemps Fat Free Milk is a delicious and nutritious beverage choice.

How can I prevent my ice cream from becoming icy?

Heat Shock occurs when ice cream is allowed to warm and is then refrozen. Ice crystals form as frozen water melts and then refreezes. The texture can become “sandy” or “gritty” as ingredients begin to separate. Ice cream needs to be kept colder than normal frozen foods to prevent ice crystal formation; the optimal temperature is -15 degrees F or colder.  It is also helpful to keep a layer of plastic wrap close to the product to avoid air pockets.

How long is Kemps Sour Cream good?

When properly refrigerated, between 33 and 40 degrees F., Kemps Sour Cream will retain its wholesomeness for one week past the date printed on the package.

At what temperature should my freezer be set to keep my ice cream fresh?

0 degrees F or colder.

How long can you keep ice cream after it is opened?

Frozen desserts may be kept as long as 3 months (unopened) if stored at 0 degrees.  Once opened, ice cream can remain fresh for about 3 weeks. Avoid storing ice cream in the front end of the freezer, near the door, where it is constantly exposed to fluctuations in temperature.

How long is Kemps Cottage Cheese good?

When properly refrigerated, between 33 and 40 degrees F, Kemps Cottage Cheese will retain its wholesomeness for one week past the date printed on the package.

What are the black specks in ‘All Natural Vanilla’ Ice Cream?

Real vanilla bean flecks.

What are Mono and Diglycerides?

They are ingredients used to provide a smooth, creamy texture and are derived from soybeans.

At what temperature should I store milk to ensure its freshness?

Dairy products must be refrigerated between 33 degrees F and 40 degrees F. It is important to note that for every 2 degrees F rise in temperature, milk’s shelf life is reduced by 50%. Pour out only the amount of milk you will use and return the container to the refrigerator immediately, resealing to prevent absorption of other flavors. Do not pour milk that has been standing at room temperature back into the container. Store it separately in a covered container.

What does ‘Homogenization’ mean?

Homogenization is the process of breaking up milk fat into smaller globules, dispensing them permanently in a fine emulsion throughout the milk. This is done in a homogenizer where milk is forced under high pressure through very tiny openings.

How do I know if my milk is spoiled?

Spoiled milk will curdle, smell or taste sour. Dairy products become bitter or have an off-taste before they sour.

What causes an ‘off’ flavor in milk?

Oxidation causes an off-taste and vitamin (riboflavin) loss. The off-taste is usually described as bitter, stale, chemical or “like cardboard or plastic.” Oxidation is caused by overexposure to light, usually fluorescent light in the store. It is more likely to happen with milk packaged in plastic cartons, because light can penetrate the package.

Milk also easily absorbs odors in the refrigerator. Some culprits: cantaloupe, onions and other produce. Always remember to reseal your container before returning it to the refrigerator.

What does ‘Pasteurization’ mean?

Pasteurization is the process of heating raw milk to at least 145 degrees F and holding continuously for at least 30 minutes, or to at least 161 degrees F and holding for at least 15 seconds, in approved and properly operated equipment. The milk is then cooled promptly to 45 degrees F or lower. This process is done to ensure high quality and safe milk.

What is RDI or DV reference on label?

Reference Daily Intake (RDI) is the daily intake level of a nutrient that is considered to be sufficient to meet the requirements of 97-98% of healthy individuals in the United States.  The RDI is used to determine the Daily Value (DV) of foods, which is printed on nutrition facts labels (as % DV).  So for example, the RDI for Vitamin D is 20 mcg.  So on the nutrition facts panel you will see that milk has 2.5mcg, which is 10%DV or 10% of the RDI.

Organic Milk
How does Kemps define “Organic”? What does “Organic” really mean?

Kemps “Organic Milk” is milk sourced directly from family farms that are certified organic by an independent certification agency.  The agency is independent of any milk plants or bottlers.   The cows that produce Kemps Organic Milk are never treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.  In addition, the feed and grain fed to the animals is never treated with herbicides or pesticides.

Are there different standards of how Organic cows are treated vs. non-Organic?

All Kemps cows, organic or not, are treated with love and respect. However, there are different regulations which organic farms follow.  Allowing access to pasture, feeding non-treated crops and not administering antibiotics are a few of main differences between organic and non-organic cows.  Regardless of how our cows identify, we maintain high standards of a happy and healthy life for all our cows.

Do you have a list of the specific farms where Kemps Organic milk comes from?

Kemps milk comes from a number of Organic Certified family farms.  We do not currently make public the names of individual farmers.

Who certifies Kemps Organic milk as Organic?

QAI (Quality Assurance International) is a leading USDA-accredited organic product certifying agency. Founded in San Diego, California in 1989, QAI has been an active leader in the organic industry, advocating for high integrity organic regulations since its beginning. QAI is commited to ensuring organic integrity at every link in the orgainic production chain and providing excellent customer service, domestically and internationally. Today, QAI is a member of the NSF International family of companies.

Where does the Organic milk come from for Kemps Organic milk?

Kemps is dedicated to sourcing milk from local family farms.  At least 90% of all Kemps Organic Milk comes from Organic dairy farms in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.  However, in times of shortage, Kemps may source a limited quantity of Organic milk from contiguous states to the west.

Where is Kemps Organic milk bottled?

Kemps Organic Milk is bottled locally in Minnesota.

Retail Locations
Where are your products sold? (write in or call)

We are always pleased to hear from our consumers and we’d be delighted to provide you with information about where to buy Kemps products. Please let us know:  1) Your Zip Code, 2) which products you are looking for, 3 ) which stores you like to shop.   We will work with our Sales and Marketing teams to research your inquiry and provide the best available information as soon as possible. You may email your inquiry by clicking here.   You may also contact us at 1-800-726-6455 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. central time.