When exceptionally attentive makers have true passion and dedication to their craft, it shows through in their distinctive, high-quality creations. That’s why our Specialty Cheese Department is proud to participate in the American Artisan Cheese program, which highlights and promotes boutique family-owned producers who—at the risk of being a little cheesy—are as gouda as gold. Read on to learn more (and meet some seriously adorable cheesemakers). 

Nettle Meadow: At Nettle Meadow Farm, the critters are just as doted on as the cheese! Part animal sanctuary, part cheese company, the farm is home to more than 130 well-cared-for rescue animals and over 1,000 carefree, free-grazing production animals, with the sanctuary also acting as a retirement home for animals past their production years. Try their fresh and versatile Fig & Honey Fromage Frais, sweet and frgrant Honey Lavender Fromage Blanc and stunning Briar Summit, a mixed-milk pyramid infused with raspberry leaf tea.

FireFly Farms: With a focus on supporting local farmers, long-term sustainability and—most of all—animal happiness, FireFly has been in cheesemaking in Western Maryland since 2002. Their Bloomy Breeze is a beautiful blend of Jersey and Holstein milk that makes for a luscious and rich soft-ripened cheese while Merry Goat Round, one of their flagship specimens, is a mild, creamy cheese that’s lactic when young, later maturing to achieve an earthy, mushroom-y flavor. It’s so hard to choose just one of their delicious offerings—so why not try them all?

Baetje Farms: Enjoy the heart-shaped delight known as Coeur de la Creme Herbs de Provence from Baetje Farms, a family dairy nestled among the fertile hills of Southeast Missouri that started as a passion project farmstead with just one goat, eventually growing into something much bigger. This award-winning nugget of goodness is imbued with organic herbs de Provence, making it the perfect complement to pork, chicken and lamb, as well as eggs, mushrooms and more.

Boxcarr Handmade Cheese: Handmade in the heart of North Carolina on a first-generation family farm founded by a brother-sister duo, Rocket’s Robiola is a dynamic, ash-ripened beauty. As it ages, this aromatic, doughy cheese’s firm chalkiness gives way to luxurious ooziness. It tastes full and earthy with a healthy minerality, and is great on ravioli, with bread or as a pre-dinner snack.

Tulip Tree Creamery: This Indiana-based creamery presents Snapdragon, a triple cream cheese inspired by the European classics with a snappy twist in the form of a spicy surprise: within the plumpish, buttery triple crème hides a ribbon of habanero peppers that brightly shine against the rich, milky creaminess. If you love a creamy-spicy combo with added fruity notes, try brûlée-ing it with sugar for even more sweet contrastive bliss. Oh, SNAP!

Drop by our Specialty Cheese Department to try these amazing artisan picks and many more!

Selection may vary by store.