California Ag Network

Tag: artisan cheese

  • Marin French Cheese Co. Places High in National Contest

    Marin French Cheese Co., the country’s oldest cheese company based in Marin County in Northern California, proudly announces six new national honors at the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition. This year’s competition drew more than 1,600 entries from over 200 creameries, with 438 medals awarded across the field. Winners were celebrated at the ACS Annual Conference, held this year in Louisville, Ky.

    “Six wins across our Breakfast Range and Classic Collection, including a first place finish for Big Breakfast, marks a meaningful moment for our team,” says Durae Hardy, Director of Marketing of Marin French Cheese Co. “These cheeses represent two different sides of who we are: Big Breakfast and the Petites show what happens when we take a beloved recipe and keep pushing it forward, while Petite Camembert and our Triple Crème Brie are a nod to the techniques that built this company over 160 years ago. Recognition like this from ACS judges tells us we’re honoring that history while still giving people something new to get excited about.”

    Marin French Cheese Co.’s award-winning cheeses are available at select major and specialty grocers and cheese shops nationwide. To find a retailer, visit the store locator and to purchase online, visit MarinFrenchCheese.com. The winners included:

    — Story contributed by Marin French Cheese Co. and Cinch PR

  • Federal Funds Awarded on Behalf of West Coast Dairy Businesses

    Over $11 million in grant funding has been released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) to support dairy producers and businesses through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI) initiative. The allocation of $690,000 will strengthen small and mid-sized dairy businesses and university pilot plants in California, Oregon, and Washington – all served by the Pacific Coast Coalition – Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (PCC-DBII).

    “We anticipate a quick turnaround in distributing these funds so the awardees can see results,” said PCC Director Carmen Licon Ph.D. “Based on applications submitted in the recent Fall 2025 cycle, these resources will help dairy processors in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products,”

    According to Project Co-Director and “Cowkeeper” Susan Pheasant, PhD., many generational farms and new innovators will now be able to better produce cheese, ice cream, and additional higher value dairy products.

    Hosted by California State University, Fresno, The PCC-DBII is funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and is a collaboration with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chapman University, Oregon State University, Oregon Dairy Council, Washington State University, and the California Dairy Innovation Center. For more information: https://www.dairypcc.net or nancyvanleuven@gmail.com.

    PCC grantee Cottage Hill Creamery goat milk products (Beavercreek, OR)

  • Gift the Joy of California Dairy This Holiday Season

    The countdown to the holidays is on, and the Real California Milk taste team is making it easier than ever to spread cheer with delicious gifts straight from the Golden State. From artisan cheeses to small-batch dairy treats, these California dairy gift boxes celebrate the craftsmanship and sustainability of the state’s dairy farm families.

    Shop Local, Gift Deliciously

    California’s dairy artisans make holiday gifting effortless. Choose from curated collections that fit every taste and budget—all featuring the Real California Milk seal, your assurance that each product is made with wholesome, sustainably sourced milk from California dairy farms.

    Whether sending a thoughtful gift to loved ones or elevating your own holiday table, these California-made cheese and dairy gifts are a meaningful way to support local producers while indulging in the best the state has to offer.

    Explore and Order Online

    Find the perfect California cheese box, butter sampler, or ice cream gift set—shipped directly from the state’s finest creameries to your doorstep. Visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com to discover California cheeses and dairy products at retail and find perfect pairing ideas to complete your holiday celebration.

    Cal Poly Creamery

    Petaluma Creamery

    Central Coast Creamery

    Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.

    Cowgirl Creamery

    Rumiano Cheese Company

    Di Stefano Cheese Company

    Sierra Nevada Cheese Company

    Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese

    Stuyt Dairy Cheese

    Hilmar Cheese Company

    Vella Cheese Company

    Marin French Cheese Company

    Vintage Cheese Company

    Nicasio Cheese Company

    Wm. Cofield Cheese

    Oakdale Cheese & Specialties

    		 Double Rainbow Ice Cream

    California Dairy: Wholesome, Sustainable, and Local

    California is the number one dairy state, home to more than 1,000 family-owned farms dedicated to quality and sustainability. Every purchase of Real California Milk products supports these farm families and contributes to a more sustainable dairy future.

    About Real California Milk / California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, represents the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a mission to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, CMAB promotes California dairy products, including California dairy gifts, artisan cheeses, and other sustainably sourced dairy foods, across retail, foodservice, and global markets. These efforts help connect consumers to high-quality products made with Real California Milk and support holiday gifting trends that highlight local, sustainable foods. Connect and learn more at RealCaliforniaMilk.com.

  • Grilled Cheese Contest to Celebrate Iconic Comfort Food With a California Twist

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has announced the launch of the 2025 Real California Grilled Cheese Sandwich Contest, a national foodservice recipe competition inviting professional chefs to reimagine the classic grilled cheese sandwich using California’s rich array of artisan cheeses and butter.

    Following the success of the Great Mozzarella Showdown and other virtual competitions, this latest online contest celebrates the beloved grilled cheese in two creative categories:

    • California Classic: Featuring up to three California cheeses, no additional ingredients.
    • California Freestyle: Featuring one to three California cheeses plus unlimited additional ingredients (as long as cheese makes up at least 50% of the sandwich).

    Influential foodservice judges will select eight winning recipes from the online submissions based on strict criteria, including use of California cheese, recipe innovation, and flavor expectations. CMAB’s team of professional chefs will conduct a cook-off of the winning recipes and grand prize champions will be named for each category.

    Each chef finalist will receive $1,000, with the two winning dishes receiving an additional $1,000 for a total of $2,000 to each category winner. In total, the CMAB will award $10,000 in prize money.

    “Grilled cheese continues to grow as a creative and profitable opportunity for chefs and restaurants looking to offer something familiar, yet elevated. California’s high-quality cheeses are the ideal foundation for innovation, helping chefs craft flavorful sandwiches that stand out on any menu,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “We’re excited to see the original recipes chefs submit in this contest and how they showcase the versatility of California dairy.”

    The recipe submission period is August 1- September 19, 2025. The eight final recipes/chefs will be announced on October 13, 2025, with two grand champions named in mid-November. For more information, including entry details, visit https://realcaliforniamilkfoodservice.com/grilled-cheese-contest/.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs and culinary professionals throughout the world. As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning cheesemakers and dairy processors that are helping to drive dining innovation.

    California is the leading producer of fluid milk, butter, and ice cream as well as Mozzarella and Monterey Jack. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with sustainably sourced milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk / The California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S., and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with milk from California’s more than 1,000 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK), email businessdevelopment@cmab.net, or visit RealCaliforniaMilkFoodservice.com.