California’s Favorite Monterey Jack Cheese Wins First Place Again
July 13, 2026 | 2 min to read
ATWATER, Calif. — Joseph Farms earned two awards at the American Cheese Society competition, with Monterey Jack winning First Place and Whole Milk Mozzarella earning Third Place, bringing the 2026 award total across all competitions to 28.
For decades, Joseph Farms Monterey Jack has built a tradition of excellence, winning more than 80 awards and reinforcing why Joseph Farms is California’s favorite Monterey Jack cheese. Since 1985, Joseph Farms has won more than 250 national and international awards, reflecting a decades-long commitment to quality and consistency.
“Earning recognition year after year speaks to the dedication our team brings to work every day,” said Mike Gallo, CEO of Joseph Farms Cheese Company. “Joseph Farms has always believed that quality isn’t achieved once. It is built every day through the hard work of our employees and a commitment to making cheese the right way. We are honored to receive this recognition.”
The latest honors build on decades of award-winning success for Joseph Farms. Over the years, Joseph Farms has earned hundreds of awards, including Best of Show, Best of California, Best Cheese of the Competition, Best of Class honors, national championships, and international medals.
Joseph Farms cheese is made in Atwater, California using 100% fresh Grade A California milk from cows never treated with artificial hormones. Joseph Farms cheese naturally contains 0 grams of lactose per serving and is a good source of protein.
At Joseph Gallo Farms, we’re a third-generation, family-owned cheesemaker based in Atwater, California. We craft award-winning Joseph Farms cheese using milk from cows never treated with artificial hormones, and we prioritize animal welfare, responsible farming, and environmental stewardship in everything we do.