Cricket Creek Farm wins blue ribbon from American Cheese Society
Small farmstead creamery receives national recognition
Williamstown, MA – August 6, 2012 – Cricket Creek Farm, a diversified grass-based dairy, received a first place award in the Farmstead Cheeses category for hard cow’s milk cheeses at the American Cheese Society’s 28th annual competition last week. The honor was given for the cheese Maggie’s Reserve – an extra-aged version of the popular Maggie’s Round – a raw milk cheese with a natural rustic rind, inspired by the toma cheeses of the Italian Alps. This is one of the highest honors a farmstead creamery can receive. This announcement brings national recognition to Massachusetts, and the Berkshires – a region with many exceptional artisanal food producers.
Suzy Konecky, creamery manager at Cricket Creek, expresses her thanks, “This farm is unique in that we have a steady flow of fresh creativity and passion from our dedicated and diverse group of apprentices who come work with us. We are grateful to each one of them, and everyone who has left their mark on our farm and creamery. Like so many small dairies, we are trying to grow the business through the sale of our value-added products. It has been a winding road, but we have been time and again propelled by our local and regional customers – including chefs, cheesemongers, community members, and CSA – who have all made an outstanding commitment to this farm. We look forward to continuing to produce cheeses that nourish and sustain both our customers and our small farm.”
ABOUT AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY
Founded in 1983, the American Cheese Society is a not-for-profit organization that supports and promotes North American cheeses. ACS is a leader in cheese advocacy and education – specifically related to technical practices, safety, and sustainability. They work to raise the quality and availability of American cheeses. Their annual competition is one of the world’s most prestigious in the cheese industry; it is like the Olympics for North American cheeses. The 2012 competition was the largest in their history with 1,711 product entries.
ABOUT CRICKET CREEK FARM
Cricket Creek Farm is a small, diversified, grass-based dairy nestled in the Berkshire hills of Williamstown, MA. The farm consists of our herd of Brown Swiss and Jersey cows, mixed heritage breed pigs, a small flock of laying hens, and an on-site bakery. Cricket Creek Farm says, “Our mission is to produce nourishing food that honors our animals, respects the land, and feeds our community, and to exemplify a sustainable model for small-farm viability.”
Cricket Creek Farm products are sold on site at their farm store and weekly farmers markets in Williamstown, North Adams, Lenox, Lanesborough, Great Barrington, Northampton, Troy NY, New Lebanon NY, Bennington VT, and Manchester VT. Cricket Creek cheese is also available at many specialty food stores and cheese shops including Wild Oats Market, Guidos, Berkshire Co-op, Nejaimes, Rubiners, Formaggio Kitchen, and Central Bottle Wine and Provisions.
To learn more about Cricket Creek Farm, please visit: www.cricketcreekfarm.com, or find them on facebook. An online version of this press release is available on their farm blog: www.cricketcreekfarm.com/wp/.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Person: Suzy Konecky, Creamery Manager
Email: info@cricketcreekfarm.com
Phone: (413) 458-5888
Website: www.cricketcreekfarm.com
Mailing Address: 1255 Oblong Road, Williamstown, MA 01267
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