Salem, Oregon – Rogue Creamery’s coowner, David Gremmels, has been appointed by Governor Kitzhaber to serve on Oregon’s Sustainability Board as a commission/board member. David's appointment was approved by the full Senate. The day of the appointment, Gremmels met with Senator Alan Bates, a long time supporter of sustainable business practices, who is pictured below. Governor Kitzhaber said “he is most appreciative of the time, energy and thoughtfulness David brings to this position." The Oregon Sustainability Board (OSB) encourages activities that best sustain, protect and enhance the environment, economy and community for the present and future benefit of Oregonians. The Governor appoints Board members who represent a variety of stakeholders within the state of Oregon.
The OSB was established in 2001 when the state legislature adopted the Oregon Sustainability Act. This act established the state’s overall sustainability policy as well as legislative goals for the state government focusing on sustainability. The Vision of the Oregon Sustainability Board is to create a culture of sustainability in Oregon by helping to develop, integrate, and promote sustainable policies and practices within state and local governments, state academic institutions, and private organizations.
Since co-owners David Gremmels and Cary Bryant took over in 2002, Rogue Creamery has been doing everything in a sustainable way. Our cheesemaking facilities fully participate in the 3 R’s, reducing waste at facilities, reusing whey, and use of recycled content in packaging. Senator Alan Bates and Rogue Creamery Co-Owner David Gremmels
The mission of sustainability drives everything we do at Rogue Creamery from the Nellie Green Pedal Power bike commute program to the solar panels installed atop their cheesemaking building. The solar project, which currently generates 30% of Rogue Creamery’s power production, is one of the largest in Southern Oregon. It is a culmination of the first phase of our original vision and mission to power our whole facility with renewable energy resources. “Turning on the power for our new solar panels gave Cary and me such great joy,” notes Rogue Creamery co-owner David Gremmels. “Knowing we are helping the environment by watching the energy consumption move backwards is too impressive for words. Bring on the sun!”
Rogue Creamery, founded in 1933, has been making some of the country’s best blue cheese since the 1950’s. Rogue Creamery’s Rogue River Blue was crowned Best in Show for the second time in three years in 2011 at the American Cheese Society Competition beating out 1675 other competitors. At the 16th World Cheese Awards in London in 2003, the Rogue Creamery’s Rogue River Blue made history when it was crowned the overall best blue cheese, beating out entries from all over Europe. This is the first time an American blue cheese has ever won the world title. They offer the only vertically integrated third party certified sustainable cheese in the U.S. Rogue Creamery is certified sustainable by Food Alliance and Steritech and the cow dairy that supplies our milk is certified sustainable by Food Alliance. Rogue Creamery ensures a consistently delicious and healthful experience for its customers through its commitment to sustainability and comprehensive food safety processes which are third party certified.
Source: Rogue Creamery
