Pennsylvania farmers and producers need our help, now more than ever. As the people who comprise our local food systems struggle to adjust to this huge societal shift, including many restaurant accounts going silent and many spring farmers markets canceled, they are taking a huge hit. One community in the thick of it is PA cheese makers, who are welcoming baby cows and goats to their farms, which means a huge influx of fresh milk and cheese without a market to support it. For a deeper dive into this issue, and how it’s playing out on a national level, check out Philly-based food journalist Alexandra Jones’ recent article on The Counter.
Even if you’re limiting your trips to the grocery store, or you’re relying on home delivery from larger grocery chains, you can still support Pennsylvania cheese makers through this crisis. Below is a list of artisan producers offering ways to buy PA cheese from the comfort of your own home, as well as some smaller, independent retailers who carry local cheese and are offering either delivery or curbside pick-up. Any support you can give to Pennsylvania cheese makers is crucial right now. Plus, a little cheese plate is a nice treat with your at-home happy hours!
Producers
Caputo Brothers Creamery (Spring Grove, PA): Online shop
Items include fresh and smoked mozzarella, mozzarella curds, fresh ricotta, multiple types of provolone, antipasto platter, cannoli kits.Clover Creek Cheese Cellar (Williamsburg, PA): Online shop
Items include: Different kinds of cheddar, Gouda and Alpine-style cheeses, mushroom and hot pepper cheese, and more.Collective Creamery (Chester & Berks County, PA): CSA Subscription
This joint project between Valley Milkhouse and Birchrun Hills is a cheese subscription that brings grass-fed, handmade cheese to you every other week, or monthly. The Summer 2020 season (May through September) is open for subscribers now! Pick-up sites are available across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.Conebella Farm (Elverson, PA): Online shop & delivery
Items include: Various types of Colby, cheddar, cheese balls, fresh cheeses and cheese spreads.Goat Rodeo Farm and Dairy (Allegheny County): Online shop
Items include: Cheese plate assortment, goat milk caramels and merchandise.Hillacres Pride (Peach Bottom, PA): CSA subscription
This cheese share is 22 weeks, with 11 deliveries of 2 cheese items every other week. Pick-ups are available at Homefields Farm (Millersville, PA) and The Good Farm (Germansville, PA).Styles of cheese range from cheddars and colbys to artisan cheeses, such as Hillacres Pride’s Susquehanna and Cave Aged Arcadia, as well as fresh cheeses, like ricotta and its signature flavored fresh cheeses.
Yellow Springs Farm (Chester Springs, PA): Online shop
Items include: Goat cheese samplers.Retailers
Chantal’s Cheese Shop (Pittsburgh, PA): Local delivery & curbside pick-up
Items include: Many, many varieties of cheese, charcuterie and specialty foods (crackers, oils and vinegar, jam, mustard, olives, etc.).Local cheeses: Goat Rodeo, Caputo Bros., Valley Milkhouse, The Farm at Doe Run.Carlino’s Market (Ardmore and West Chester, PA): Online shop, local delivery (Ardmore only) & curbside pick-up (both locations)
Items include: a large variety of specialty Italian groceries and prepared foods; local cheeses from the cheese case include The Farm at Doe Run.Farm Fromage (Lancaster, PA): Online shop
Items include: 25 Pennsylvania made cheese from 7 local cheesemakers in our online store. Buy by the piece or sign up for Cheese of the Month subscriptions.DiBruno Brothers (Philadelphia, PA): Online shop, delivery & curbside pick-up
Lemon Street Market (Lancaster, PA): Virtual ordering & curbside pick-up
Orders can be placed via email, phone or personal shopper via WhatsApp; check Facebook for an idea what’s new and in-stock.Items include: Rotating stock of local yogurt and cheese, as well as many specialty groceries and prepared foods.Philly Foodworks (Greater Philadelphia area): Online shop, pick-up site & delivery
Add on a supplemental cheese box to a customizable CSA-style produce box; local cheesemakers include Hillacres Pride, Valley Milkhouse, Yellow Springs Farm, The Farm at Doe Run, Sunset Farm, Conebella Farm, Goat Rodeo Farm & Dairy and Hidden Hills Dairy.S. Clyde Weaver (Lancaster County, PA): Online shop & curbside pick-up
In addition to many deli meats, prepared foods, coffee and jarred goods, find a variety of Lancaster cheeses, sliced or by the piece.Talula’s Table (Kennett Square, PA): Online shop
If we missed any PA cheese makers or local retailers, please let us know, in the comments here or on the PA Eats Facebook page!