Good Culture Dairy Products: Transforming Dairy with Sustainability and Health

What the Project Is

Good Culture Dairy Products is on a mission to reinvent the food system from the (actual) ground up… The company is dedicated to creating a healthier planet, people, and animals. Since 2015, Good Culture has partnered with 1% for the Planet by donating 1% of its organic revenue to supporting pasture infrastructure improvements, pasture access, regenerative agriculture, and educational opportunities for farmers. Born out of a personal journey, the project’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that food is medicine—a notion that emerged when founder Jesse faced a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and embraced alternative healing practices. It’s a story that speaks to innovation, care, and transformation.

Main Benefit

Good Culture Dairy Products does more than offer delicious cultured dairy; it makes a meaningful impact through its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare. Key figures and facts include:

• 1% for the Planet partnership since 2015
• Donation of 1% of organic revenue to regenerative agriculture and educational opportunities for farmers
• Founder’s personal journey with ulcerative colitis inspires the food is medicine philosophy
• A commitment to pasture-raised milk supply addressing animal welfare and environmental concerns
• A formidable bcorp score of 81.1, reflecting a robust commitment to responsible business practices

Food as Healing and Transformation

There’s a genuine story behind every product here. In 2014, founder Jesse was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis—a chronic inflammatory gut condition that traditional medicine said required lifelong harsh prescriptions. Jesse decided to explore a different path by focusing on an extremely clean and selective diet. This lifestyle shift featured cultured dairy, grass-fed animal protein, cooked vegetables, and fruit. In a matter of four weeks, symptoms began to fade… and after three years of living this way, he completely cured himself of the disease. This transformative experience cemented his belief that food is indeed medicine.

A Commitment to Better Dairy Production

Good Culture quickly learned that most U.S. dairy cows are confined, which creates significant animal welfare and environmental issues. The company’s approach is radically different—it vows to be part of the solution by supporting regenerative pasture-raised milk production. The cultured dairy products are incredibly delicious and are made only with simple ingredients sourced from family farms. There are no added hormones or artificial ingredients… just the wholesome goodness of culturing dairy in a way that respects nature and life.

Inspired by Traditional Wisdom

The story of Good Culture is as much about tradition as it is about modern innovation. The product lineup is inspired by the idea that natural, well-sourced ingredients can fuel both our bodies and emotions. The project’s origins are intertwined with the personal journey of Jesse and his discovery that a carefully curated diet can heal. From a time when his doctor predicted a lifetime of medication, Jesse’s experience transformed into a vision that champions clean eating and regenerative farming practices. This blend of old-school wisdom and new-age science creates an undeniably compelling narrative for those who care about what’s in their food.

Project Impact on Global Initiatives

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – By promoting regenerative agriculture and supporting family farms
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By exemplifying the food is medicine philosophy and offering clean, cultured dairy products
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Through sustainable production practices and environmental stewardship
• SDG 13: Climate Action – By advocating for pasture-raised and regenerative agricultural methods which reduce carbon footprints
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Through efforts to improve pasture access and infrastructure, ensuring better land management practices

Delicious & Inspiring Recipes

Good Culture Dairy Products is not just about health and sustainability—it’s also about enjoying food. The range of recipes available shows how cultured dairy can transform everyday meals into culinary delights. The project features innovative recipes such as Southwest Salad with Whipped Cottage Ranch, Protein Packed Avocado Toast, Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bites, and Sour Cream and Chive Potato Bake. There’s also a Savory Lunch Bowl, Cottage Cheese Wrap, Cottage Cheese Pizza Dip, and even a Charcuterie Board with Sour Cream Garlic Dip. Other offerings include Sour Cream Tzatziki Dip, Cottage Cheese: The Perfect Post Workout Snack, Tortilla Egg Bake, Wedge Salad with Bleu Cheese Dressing, Fried Pickle Dip, Pecan Pie Parfait, Cottage Cheese Acai Bowl, Cheese Dip, Creamy Rigatoni with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Cottage Cheese, Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms, Spinach & Artichoke Bites, Chicken Lettuce Tacos, Huevos Rancheros, Sweet Potato Pancakes, Breakfast Strata, Tostada, Cheddar Apple Grilled Cheese, Pumpkin Bread with Cottage Cream Frosting, Loaded Mini Potatoes with Sour Cream, Sour Cream Ganache, and Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Burrito. Each recipe is a testament to the delicious, versatile ways that cultured dairy brings taste and nutrition to everyday dining.

What Good Culture actually does

Good Culture is a cultured dairy brand based in Irvine, California, founded by Jesse Merrill, best known for its lactose-free, live-culture cottage cheese. The company sources pasture-raised milk and has donated 1% of its organic revenue since 2015 to support regenerative agriculture, pasture infrastructure, and farmer education, through its membership in 1% for the Planet.

“This is THE cottage cheese. Perfect serving size and look at the protein!”

Mary, customer

Where the pasture-raised sourcing shows up

• Cottage cheese: the brand’s flagship product, lactose-free and live-culture
• Sour cream and cream cheese: made with the same pasture-raised sourcing standard
• Farmer education: funded through the 1% for the Planet donation since 2015

Why this belongs on a sustainability directory

Good Culture’s pasture-raised sourcing model and its ongoing 1% for the Planet donation since 2015 give it a direct, dated commitment to SDG12 (responsible consumption and production), funding regenerative agriculture practices rather than only marketing around them. As a food brand built around live-culture, minimally processed dairy, it also connects to SDG2 (zero hunger) by supporting a more sustainable model of dairy farming at the sourcing level.