Petaluma, CA – Counting their blessings is not unlike counting sheep for the founders and cheesemaker at Bellwether Farms in western Sonoma County. A treasure of awards from national and International competitions in 2016 recognized the full spectrum of their fresh and aged cheeses and cultured products. Bellwether Farms’ new mixed-milk cheese, Blackstone, took 1st Place in its premier at the American Cheese Society competition, Des Moines, and Gold at CalExpo, Sacramento. Whole Milk Basket Ricotta won in all four competitions that it was entered, including International recognition from the World Cheese Championship, Wisconsin, which also awarded Third Prize to Pepato, Bellwether Farms aged sheep cheese. Perennial favorite Crème Fraiche added a second place ribbon to its roster of more than a dozen awards since 2000. (A complete list of 2016 awards follows.)
2016 marks the thirtieth year in business for Bellwether Farms, founded in 1986 by the Callahan family in Valley Ford, California. Pausing to reflect on the company’s history, the Callahans have determined to share their success by establishing the nonprofit Bellwether Farms Foundation. “We are pledging one percent of our sales to strengthen the food system by supporting organizations which provide hunger relief or food-related education to our communities,” says Liam Callahan. “We can’t end hunger alone but we feel that food producers must invest in kids learning about and eating good food.” The Bellwether Foundation will seek opportunities to invest in communities across the U.S. where the company’s products are sold.
In more exciting news, winter 2016 will see the launch of Bellwether Farms Organic Yogurt, a cow milk companion to the popular sheep yogurt they’re well known for. “Our commitment to produce naturally healthful dairy products started with our first cheeses in 1990”, says Callahan, “adding the new organic cow milk yogurt to our line is one more milestone in that ongoing commitment.” Organic cow milk for the yogurt is sourced from a neighboring Jersey dairy, to which live cultures and the highest quality fruit is added. Flavors include Blueberry, Blackberry, Strawberry, Spiced Apple, Vanilla and Plain.
The new yogurt is packed in 5.3-ounce cups and a 4-pack of 3.75-ounce cups. Each cup has a foil seal depicting the Bellwether Farms Foundation’s logo and pledge.
2016 Awards for Bellwether Farms
Good Food Awards Whole Milk Basket Ricotta
American Cheese Society, Des Moines
1st Place Blackstone
2nd Place Whole Milk Basket Ricotta
2nd Place Crème Fraiche
World Championship Cheese Contest, Wisconsin
Third Award, Whole Milk Basket Ricotta
Third Award, San Andreas
CalExpo State Fair, Sacramento
Gold, Blackstone
Bronze, Crème Fraiche
Bronze, Whole Milk Basket Ricotta
###
About Bellwether Farms
A family business founded in 1986, Bellwether Farms established the first sheep dairy ranch west of the
Mississippi. Artisan cheesemaking began in 1990 and continues today in the expanded creamery. Family matriarch Cindy Callahan tends to the flock while her son and his wife, Liam and Diana Callahan, are cheesemaker and business administrator, respectively. Bellwether Farms crafts a family of aged and fresh sheep and cow milk cheeses and yogurts using time-honored traditions and whole milk sourced from their flock and other family dairy farms. Located on 35 acres in Sonoma County, Bellwether Farms is dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices, ethical animal husbandry and crafting the highest quality dairy products possible. The Bellwether Farms Foundation pledges 1% of sales to strengthen the food system by supporting organizations which provide hunger relief or food-related education. www.bellwetherfarms.com
Source: Bellwether Farms
