From cows to cafeterias

MENAHGA, Minn. — After an unplanned conversation and some hard work, Joel and Amanda Hendrickson have their Ten Finns Creamery milk on the menu at 10 local schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

“When you walk through the school you will notice that you see a lot of Ten Finns hoodies,” said Jay Kjos, Menahga Public Schools superintendent. “There is a lot of pride in the local people doing well.”

The Hendricksons milk around 145 cows and farm 440 acres with the help of their 13 children. They also own and operate an on-farm creamery — Ten Finns Creamery — where they process milk from the herd and bottle it in half-gallon and 8-ounce cartons. Hendrickson said 30%-35% of their milk goes to schools and grocery stores.

Before the Hendricksons started selling milk to Menahga Public Schools, Hendrickson had a conversation with Kjos at a volleyball game.

Hendrickson asked Kjos if he had tried their milk. Kjos said he could not drink milk. Hendrickson told him he might have better success with their milk because it is A2 for beta-casein and does not contain the A1 protein that some report having issues digesting. Ultimately Kjos tried the Ten Finns Creamery product and found that he could drink the milk.

“He was sold right away,” Hendrickson said. “Once people learn about the whole A2 protein, that’s been a big seller.”

The first step to getting Ten Finns Creamery milk in the school was to win the bid. The Hendricksons submitted their per-carton prices for each flavor, then waited for staff to review the bid and submit it to the school board, which chooses the vendor.

To educate other superintendents about the A2 milk, Kjos invited Hendrickson to give a presentation about his products during an area conference for superintendents at the Menahga Public Schools.

“(Jay’s) been a huge help,” Hendrickson said.

The conference was held again this year. This time, Kjos brought all the superintendents to the farm for a tour of the facility.

Kjos has built a relationship with the Hendricksons through this venture.

“(Joel’s) been really good as he’s getting his business going,” Kjos said. “We worked out any of (the issues in) the processes because we have a good relationship. He has just been really (available).”

Menahga was the first school customer for Ten Finns Creamery, a relationship that began with the 2023-2024 school year. The Hendricksons have grown that number to 10 schools this year.

There have been learning curves along the way. Before the 2023-2024 school year, Hendrickson flew to Las Vegas to investigate a carton machine for 8-ounce cartons.

The machine was delivered right before school started, so the Hendricksons had little time to get the kinks worked out. Keith Hendrickson, owner of Dairyland Equipment of Menahga Inc., who is a friend and relative, helped them get everything running.

“He didn’t know this machine, but he’s learned it with me,” Hendrickson said. “I was ready to bring them half gallons of milk for the first few days (if the vending option didn’t work).”

Ultimately, they found success. But with growth has come new challenges.

“This year, now that we are doing so much, there’s a bunch of learning again,” Hendrickson said. “I’ve lived off the least amount of sleep this fall ever.”

The machine has two lines and can fill about 9,400 cartons an hour, so in 3-4 hours they can fill 25,000 cartons, Hendrickson said. They are filling 40,000-50,000 cartons a week, a task that takes 8-10 hours. The creamery fills cartons for orders on Tuesdays and Fridays or Saturdays.

Schools have the option of white, strawberry and chocolate milk. Roughly 70% of the milk going to schools is chocolate, Hendrickson said. All schools order white and chocolate. A small number of schools order strawberry milk as the creamery started producing this variety several weeks ago.

Monday through Thursday are delivery days, with each school visited twice per week. The creamery has one delivery truck that is used to bring the milk to the schools and grocery stores. Ten Finns Creamery milk has a 16-day shelf life.

Filling thousands of cartons per week requires teamwork for the Hendricksons. From milking and feeding to bottling and delivering, there are many hands in the process. Their oldest son, Zach, has learned the ropes of the creamery and can carton milk with little assistance. Jenna Pinoniemi, their niece, does all of the deliveries with help from some of Joel and Amanda’s daughters. Their daughters also help transfer cartons from the filling line to the crates and then to the cooler.

“It’s an interesting story to say the least,” Kjos said. “It’s also a story of determination, grit and success, and what better way to motivate my peers? I am proud of Joel and Amanda and what they have done out there and that (they are) part of our community.”