How to Store Raw Milk: Fresh From the Farm to Your Refrigerator

Our raw milk is milked at 5:30 a.m. and delivered the same day across Central Indiana. Here is how to store it at home so it stays fresh.

By Chris Baggott

September 23, 2026 3 min read

A gallon and a half gallon of raw whole cow milk from Kemp Family Organic Farm and Dairy, labeled USDA Organic, on a refrigerator shelf

Not all raw milk is the same. How the cows are raised, how the milk is handled, and how long it takes to get from the farm to your refrigerator all affect the milk you pour. We control the first part of that trip closely. The last part happens in your kitchen, and it matters just as much.

Where our raw milk comes from

Our raw milk comes from Kemps Organic Dairy, a certified organic dairy in Indiana. The cows are 100% grassfed, and the herd produces A2A2 milk.

Milked and delivered the same day

The cows are milked at 5:30 in the morning. By 8:30, that milk is at Tyner Pond Farm in Greenfield, and it goes out for delivery the same day. If your milk arrives on a Tuesday, it was milked Tuesday morning.

Why freshness and temperature matter

Raw milk hasn't been heated, so it still contains the bacteria that are naturally present in milk. Cold slows their growth, and warmth speeds it up.

Two things decide how long raw milk stays good: how much time passes after milking, and how cold the milk is kept. We keep the time between milking and delivery as short as we can. Once the milk reaches you, how you store it determines how long it lasts.

How to store raw milk at home

Get it into the refrigerator quickly

If you pick up at the farm, bring a cooler with ice packs. If it's delivered, put it away as soon as it arrives.

Keep your refrigerator between 34°F and 38°F

Many home refrigerators run warmer than their settings suggest, so an inexpensive thermometer is worth having. Store milk on a shelf toward the back, not in the door. The door warms up every time it opens.

Keep the lid on

Pour what you need and put the jar back right away. Never pour unused milk back into the jar. If you move milk to another container, use a clean glass jar with a tight lid.

Shake before pouring

Raw milk isn't homogenized, so the cream rises to the top. That's normal. Shake the jar gently, or skim the cream to use separately.

How long raw milk lasts

Milk that reaches you the day it was milked, and stays between 34°F and 38°F, generally keeps well for 7 to 10 days. Milk kept warmer won't last that long.

As raw milk ages, it changes gradually. It turns tangy and slowly sours. Soured milk has a long history of use in baking, such as pancakes and biscuits. Milk that smells rotten, bitter, or unusual in any other way should be thrown out.

Freezing raw milk

Raw milk can be frozen. Leave one to two inches of space at the top of the container, because milk expands as it freezes. Thaw it in the refrigerator, not on the counter, and use it within about three months. The fat may separate after thawing. Shaking helps, though the texture may not be quite the same as fresh.

Frequently asked questions

How long does raw milk last in the refrigerator?

Generally 7 to 10 days when it's fresh to begin with and kept between 34°F and 38°F.

Can you freeze raw milk?

Yes. Leave space at the top of the container, thaw it in the refrigerator, and use it within about three months.

Why is there cream on top of my milk?

Raw milk isn't homogenized, so the cream separates naturally. Shake the jar before pouring.

Where can I get raw milk near Indianapolis?

Tyner Pond Farm delivers raw milk the same day it's milked to homes across Central Indiana, including Greenfield, Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, New Palestine, Shelbyville, and Greenwood. Local delivery is free on orders of $63 or more. You can also pick up at the farm in Greenfield. See our raw milk.