MADISON, Wis. Continuing their dedication to producing the highest-quality
cheeses, Wisconsin cheesemakers are embracing kosher standards for a growing
number of products. According to Mintel, a global consumer, product and market
research company, U.S. sales of kosher foods totaled $12.5 billion in 2008, an
increase of 64 percent since 2003.
Kosher cheeses claim a small portion of the overall cheese category, yet they
have experienced a market growth of nearly 7 percent each year between 2004 and
2008. In fact, kosher held the top individual claim on a number of new cheese
products released in 2008. In Wisconsin, 30 cheese companies produce a wide
variety of kosher cheeses, including Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella,
Parmesan and more.
“Consumers of kosher foods have high expectations for these products, and the
food industry has started to acknowledge that,” said Mark Rosen, owner of Sugar
River Cheese, a company specializing in kosher Wisconsin cheeses. “As consumers
continue to demand a broader range of specialty kosher products, the selection
will become more diverse.”
In order for a cheese to be labeled “kosher,” a rabbi must be on the premises to
ensure no non-kosher ingredients or utensils have been used in the cheesemaking
process. In addition, the rennet used must be microbial or vegetarian, instead
of the traditional animal-based product.
The top reason consumers purchase kosher foods is food quality, followed by
general healthfulness and food safety. Approximately 13 percent of Americans
deliberately purchase kosher foods, which include both observant and
non-observant consumers.
“In a culture of global food sourcing, people recognize the value of purchasing
kosher,” said Rosen. “The lack of compromise in regard to quality control and
practices that have been in place for thousands of years help distinguish kosher
foods as the highest quality.”
For additional information or photos of kosher cheeses, contact Marlena Deutsch
at (608) 241-4141 (608) 241-4141 x229 or mdeutsch@stephanbrady.com. For more
information about Wisconsin Cheese, visit
www.EatWisconsinCheese.com.
The following Wisconsin companies produce kosher cheeses:
- All-Star, Ltd.
- Arthur Schuman Inc.
- Baker Cheese Factory, Inc.
- BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.
- Cedar Grove Cheese
- Decatur Dairy, Inc.
- Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery
- Grande Cheese Company
- Harmony Specialty Dairy Foods LLC
- Henning Cheese, Inc.
- Lactalis Deli, Inc.
- Maple Leaf Cheese Cooperative
- Meister Cheese Co.
- Mill Creek Cheese Factory
- Mullins Cheese, Inc.
- Nasonville Dairy, Inc.
- Old Fashioned Foods, Inc.
- Organic Farm Marketing, LLC
- Organic Valley
- Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
- Sartori Food Corporation
- Schreiber Foods, Inc.
- Specialty Cheese Company, Inc.
- Sugar River Cheese Co
- Thiel Cheese & Ingredients, LLC
- U.S. Specialty Cheese, Inc.
- Welcome Dairy, Inc.
- Widmer’s Cheese Cellars, Inc.
- Winona Foods, Inc.
- Wisconsin Cheese Group
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, a nonprofit organization funded by the Wisconsin
dairy producers, promotes the awareness and consumption of Wisconsin cheese and
other dairy products.
Source:
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board