NEW NORTH, May 2, 2008 – California may claim that “happy cows” come from their state, but once again, it’s Wisconsin – with the help of the New North – that’s setting a record for cheese production.
Wisconsin specialty cheese production rose to 399 million pounds in 2007, more than any other state in the nation. There are now 124 cheese plants that manufacture at least one type of specialty cheese in the state – three more than in 2006.
“The New North is home to some of the most successful – and tastiest – cheese producers anywhere in the world,” said Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of the New North, Inc. “Our region has a history of cheese production that is unparalleled in terms of quantity and quality.”
This year has been an especially good one for the cheese industry in the New North.
At the 2008 World Cheese Championships in Madison, 26 Best of Class awards were won by Wisconsin cheese producers, out of 79 total categories that were judged. Eleven of those awards were won by companies in the New North:
Alto Dairy Cooperative – Black Creek
Arla Foods – Kaukauna
Bel Brands USA – Kaukauna
Foremost Farms USA – Appleton
Graf Creamery – Zachow
Land O’Lakes – Denmark
Land O’Lakes – Kiel
Masters Gallery Foods – Plymouth (two Best of Class awards)
Rosewood Dairy – Algoma
Seymour Dairy Products – Seymour
In March, Denmark-based BelGioioso opened a new cheese plant in Freedom – the company’s fifth in Northeast Wisconsin – and Sargento Foods, a specialty cheese maker based in Plymouth, was named a Grand Award winner at the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards in February.
“Northeast Wisconsin’s dairy industry is renowned across the world, and it’s easy to see why,” Murphy said. “The success of this industry just demonstrates one more reason why the New North is one of the best places in the country to live, work, and raise a family.”
New North, Inc. is a regional collaboration effort focused on promoting regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in Northeast Wisconsin. The 18 counties included in the New North are Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Waupaca, Brown, Shawano, Oconto, Marinette, Door, Kewaunee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Florence, Menominee, and Waushara. To find out more information about New North, Inc., please visit our website at www.thenewnorth.com.
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