ACCIDENT, MD. – FireFly Farms (www.fireflyfarms.com), producer of handmade goat cheeses in Mountain Maryland’s Garrett County, proudly announces two top honors at the American Cheese Society’s (ACS) annual conference and competition held August 1st through 4th in Raleigh, North Carolina.
This year’s 2012 Judging & Competition titled, Cheese Rally in Raleigh: Owning Our Future saw an unprecedented number of entries: 1,711 different cheeses and cultured milk products from over 250 ACS member-producers in the United Sates, Canada, and Mexico. Since it’s inception in 1983, the ACS, a not-for-profit trade organization has provided advocacy, education, business development, and networking opportunities for members of the cheese industry. As stated on the ACS website, the organization has been “guided by a vision that American cheese could mean more than sliced singles, and that a community of cheese could be created, hundreds of dedicated and passionate individuals have united to create a vibrant and flourishing Society poised to continue to push the limits.” This year’s fierce competition among a wide range of unique and motivated businesses is proof that the cheese industry in North America is only getting stronger with time.
FireFly’s Spanish-inspired, semi-soft aged goat cheese, Cabra La Mancha™, received the first place ribbon competing in the same class against other washed rind cheeses made from goat’s milk. This award marks the 9th individual honor received by FireFly Farm’s Cabra La Mancha; including a 2008 Gold Medal from the World Cheese Awards.
FireFly’s second award went to another aged goat cheese, MountainTop Bleu™, receiving a third place ribbon competing in the same class against other blue-veined cheeses with a rind made from goat’s milk. This ribbon is the 15th individual honor received by FireFly Farm’s MountainTop Bleu, making it FireFly’s most highly awarded cheese; including it’s selection by Saveur Magazine editors as one of their 50 favorite American cheeses.
“The team here at FireFly is thrilled to have both cheeses recognized on a national level competing against such an excellent group of talented companies in the cheese industry”, said FireFly’s head cheese maker, Dan Porter. “This August marks our one year anniversary processing cheese in our new creamery in Accident, MD. These awards just further validate all of our hard work, determination and dedication to our customers to put out a truly enjoyable product.”
FireFly Farms’ President, Mike Koch, had this to say about his experience in Raleigh this year, “We attended our first ACS Conference a decade ago in 2002. Looking back, it is striking how much the Society and our industry has grown and developed in that time. I am proud to be part of an organization of industry leaders that promote and understand the importance of high quality, safe cheese making methods.”
FireFly Farms’ cheese is available at their retail outlet in Accident, MD as well as farmer’s markets, restaurants and many specialty retail stores. For more information on where to purchase please contact the creamery directly or visit www.fireflyfarms.com.
About the Cheese:
Cabra La Mancha – or "goat from La Mancha" — is a Spanish-inspired, semi-soft, washed rind wheel. The rind is completely edible at any stage of the cheese’s ripening. In fact, the cheese’s fullest flavor is concentrated in its rind.
MountainTop Bleu is a surface-ripened blue and white mold pyramid. It ripens from its rind inwards, growing progressively softer and creamier.
About FireFly Farms:
FireFly Farms offers nationally & internationally awardwinning premium goat cheese that features the distinct regional flavors of Mountain Maryland’s Allegheny Plateau. Each cheese is artfully handcrafted and aged with precise detail; and, each offers distinguished flavor, exceptional texture, noteworthy composition, and unprecedented aesthetics. The cheese of FireFly Farms is produced using agriculturally sustainable, locallysourced fresh goat’s milk and timehonored, traditional methods of goat cheese making. At FireFly, we believe in the interdependence of people with one another and with our environment, and we are committed to caring for the land and protecting the environment for today’s communities and future generations.
Source: FireFly Farms:
