Painter sisters’ success in Susquehanna Valley is more dairy tale than fairy tale

Ed Gruver//February 16, 2023

What may sound like a fairy tale to some is actually a dairy tale.

Stephanie and Hayley Painter are fourth-generation farmers and owners of Painterland Sisters, a certified organic family operation. The past year has seen the sisters transform their Lititz-based business in startling fashion as they partner with Market Wagon to provide organic skyr-style yogurt that is made in Newville in Cumberland County.

“Our mission is to help our community and state feel prideful, for everyone to feel like they’re a part of what we’re doing,” Hayley said in a statement. “We really believe in community and community access. Everyone deserves that choice, no matter where you live.”

Newville is home to one of three Icelandic-style processing yogurt makers in the country. According to a press release, Skyr is the most nutrient-dense yogurt available in stores, providing 16-18 grams of protein in each container.

Painterland Farms, a certified organic farm on 5,000 acres in Tioga County, supplies much of the milk for the Painter sisters. The milk provides Skyr’s protein content, whereas many Greek yogurt makers who thicken the milk artificially by adding protein powder.

Painterland’s relationship with Market Wagon helps the sister’s products reach homes in a 10-county region in the Susquehanna Valley. Market Wagon is an e-commerce grocery store with a supply chain of baked goods, dairy, eggs, meat, and produce that is fully local. Customers can select from more than 400 local foods.

According to the release, the Painter’s partnership with Market Wagon is one between two companies whose goals are parallel. The relationship has been profitable, as less than one year after selling their first tub, Painterland’s products are now available in more than 1,000 stores.

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