Our Cheesemaking Heritage

A Rich Heritage & Promising Future

The U.S. is home to hundreds of cheesemakers – big and small – who are eager to meet international demand for unique products; crafting a wide range of cheeses, from classics like parmesan, cheddar, and brie, to innovative American Originals such as Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and countless other varieties including flavor-infused or rind-rubbed cheeses. Cheesemakers can be found across all 50 U.S. states, and each one incorporates the unique elements of their surroundings into their high-quality cheeses.

As a country of immigrants, many of our traditions reflect our ancestry, and one of those traditions is a love for cheese. Using Old World recipes and traditional methods, an industry was born with the first settlers. Today, the U.S. is an international center of cheesemaking excellence and innovation.

Meet the USA Cheese Community

Get to know a few of our cheesemakers from across the United States who work every day to produce cheeses that deliver beyond expectations.

Hilmar Cheese

Located in California, USA, Hilmar Cheese specializes in the production of a wide variety of natural cheeses — including many American Originals — that are sold to private label, regional and national brand cheese packagers.

Hilmar's facilities feature state-of-the-art processes and systems to ensure efficiency, consistency, food safety and the best cost-in-use. We strive to protect our customers’ brands and margins through our commitment to high-quality, nutritious cheese products. All of our cheeses meet the most stringent standards.

Sartori Cheese

In 1939, Paolo Sartori brought his Italian heritage to Wisconsin, USA, and founded Sartori Cheese. It was this passion for cheesemaking that sparked a successful family-run business that has thrived for generations.

Sartori is well-known for the creation of many unique American Original cheeses, some of which are finished by soaking the wheel in alcohols or vinegars, or by rubbing the rind with herbs and spices. Sartori are focused on continuing to craft new cheeses to share with the world.

BelGioioso Cheese

The BelGioioso story began over a century ago when the great-grandfather of BelGioioso President, Errico Auricchio, founded a cheese company based on a philosophy of excellence. In 1979, Errico moved his family from Italy to America with the goal of continuing his great-grandfather’s legacy.

Located in Wisconsin, USA, BelGioioso uses fresh, quality milk to produce a wide variety of natural Italian-style cheeses, from fresh mozzarella and ricotta to asiago and aged parmesan, and everything in between!

Rogue Creamery

In 1933 — more than 90 years ago — Rogue Creamery opened its doors in Oregon, USA. Since then, it has grown by leaps and bounds. Today Rogue Creamery cheese can be found at cheese counters and restaurants nationwide, and in many countries around the world. Rogue Creamery has gone Organic, is a Certified B Corporation, and was honored with the title of "World’s Best Cheese" at the 2019-2020 World Cheese Awards for their flaship blue cheese, Rogue River Blue.

And all along, they've strived to maintain the character and spirit of our small business. Rogue Creamery is dedicated to sustainability, service, and the art and tradition of making the world’s finest handmade cheeses.

Jasper Hill Farm

Jasper Hill Farm began when brothers Andy and Mateo, pooled their life savings and bought a rocky hillside farm in Vermont, USA — a special place surrounded by greenery and lakes where their family had enjoyed summer holidays for more than 100 years. Since that time, Jasper Hill Farm has gone on to win countless awards at numerous domestic and international cheese competitions.

Jasper Hill Farm's mission is to make the highest possible quality cheeses in a way that supports Vermont's working landscape. They are driven to be the standard bearer of quality and innovation in the artisan cheese industry while promoting our regional taste of place.

Meeting Demand and Caring for the Land

Almost a quarter of the world’s cheese is produced in the United States, and U.S. cheese sales to international customers have skyrocketed over the past 20 years. The United States offers over 1,000+ cheese varieties and styles perfectly crafted to meet global customers’ and consumers’ desire for enjoyable, great-tasting cheese. While essential and beloved in many of the world’s favorite foods, like pizza and cheeseburgers, cheese can also add a nice twist to international dishes.

2022 U.S. cheese production metrics

Sustainable Practices

As with our farmers, care and concern for the land is of the utmost importance to U.S. cheesemakers. Across the country, cheesemaking facilities are adopting new, innovative and environmentally conscious practices to increase water and energy efficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their operations as well as within the broader supply chain.

See what some U.S. cheesemaking facilities are doing to decrease their carbon footprint.