Want some cheeeese with that veggie share?

Cheese share? Guaranteed, if you eat dairy, you haven't had your share of cheese until you experience our cheese share—three locally crafted, artisan cheeses delivered with your veggies every month. You may also find yourself unwilling to share the cheese you receive from cheese share deliveries ironically enough. You will be showered with a varying, once-a-monthly array of three different local, artisan cheeses made from cow’s, sheep’s, or goat’s milk. Our cooperating cheese makers are from Hope Springs Farm, Misty Creek Goat Dairy, Green Acres Farm, Conestoga Creamery, Millwood Springs Organics, De-Glae Organics, and Dove Song Dairy.

Gone are the days of eating Cheez-Itz dipped in Cheez Whiz or Ritz crackers with a dollop of high pressured, canned American Easy Cheese on top. Kraft singles anyone? Blue box blues? Okay, too-early/mid nineties and Nickelodeon. Velveeta shells and cheese? Awkwardly thin cardboard box of cheese-like substance wrapped in equally as awkward and thin foil? Check. How is this stuff labeled per USDA regulations? I’m not sure yet.

Cheese doesn’t naturally melt into a uniform mass of orangey, velvety, smooth-and-creamy goo. Though Willy Wonka wasn’t a cheese maker--only candy as far as I can remember--some other major, big box brands do make "cheese." Alas, it is cheese food, processed cheese, and pasteurized prepared (better than processed?) cheese product(s) that they make, and it is these products that do this smoothly melting wonder. Cheese food stuffs that have been emulsified with unnaturally occurring additives and sets of ingredients that vary in degrees melt well without bleeding grease--unlike their all natural, aged cheddar or other legally so-named cheese counterparts.

Next question: what is American cheese? Historically, American cheese was a blend of varieties of Colby and Cheddar. Now, beyond its ubiquitous dairy aisle and fast food presence in addition to individual (and greasy) packaging, American cheese is actually just a loose term that refers to mild flavored, smooth and creamy cheese product, food, spread, or other cheese-like consistency product which cannot legally be called only cheese. You’ll notice many of the major brands of American cheese leave “cheese” out of the labeling altogether getting straight to the marketing point with “American slices” or “American singles.” While the cheese share will not include packages of stacked, individually wrapped slices of cheese that were formed by injection molding into cellophane envelopes, we have heard rave reviews about what we do offer.

 

Try, for example, a fresh goat cheese from nearby Dove Song Dairy in Bernville, PA. The goats, and all other livestock, are turned out year round on pastures that have not been treated with pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, or sludge. In addition to the goats’ organic pastures, they eat a special ration custom combined by the folks at Dove Song which consists of their own organically grown barley, spelt, and sunflower seeds. Kelp, flaxseed, minerals are also added to keep the goats as happy and healthy as possible. To this end, they’re never fed corn or soy or given antibiotics, vaccines, or hormones.

At the right, you'll notice a yellow cup of chili topped with Dove Song's fresh goat chevre aptly named Bonfire for it's wood smoked and chipotle flavor. Aside from being a welcome flavor of warmth to any cup or bowl of chili, Bonfire would also be great with a pulled pork sandwich or chicken fajita. Their chevre, Fig-a-licious, sounds delightful with organic black mission figs in a creamy, fresh goat cheese lightly sweetened with local wildflower honey and nutmeg, too. Dove Song recommends trying this as a bagel spread or compliment to fresh pear slices. Or, you might also receive Raw Feta which has been aged for two months and cured in sea salt brine. Of course, this feta is great on salads, sprinkled over soup (or white or margherita pizza!), and even equally as amazing right out of the 8 oz. container with a spoon, fork, even a spork. 

Photos and meal ideas courtesy of Dove Song Dairy's website. All other photos were ripped from Google. Many thanks.