Supermarket Perimeter - September 2024 - 42

Cheese
By Andy Nelson
THE GOAT CHEESE MARKET IN THE US CONTINUES TO GROW
and, at the same time, it's become an increasingly competitive market
for producers.
Consumers appreciate the versatility of goat cheese - both as an
ingredient in the kitchen and on their cheeseboards when entertaining
- and its health bona fides.
Carr Valley Cheese's goat cheeses have a characteristically clean
flavor, which is approachable for all palettes, said Elle (Fearing) Williams,
the company's director of sales and brand development.
" Our customers and consumers we meet at industry events love
our goat milk products. Common phrases we hear are 'I don't like goat
cheese, but this is actually really great!' That always makes our day - we
strive to provide flavors that all people can enjoy. "
Demand for Carr Valley's new Stix grab-and-go cheese product is
surging, and the company was very happy with the feedback from
customers and potential customers at this summer's IDDBA and
Summer Fancy Food shows, Williams said.
" Consumers want healthy, all-natural snacks that they can take on the
go, and this fits the bill perfectly. We're also not seeing the variety (from
other shippers) that we offer on the shelves. Buying our Snack Stix is a
great way to try an artisan cheese before committing to a larger piece. "
Carr Valley is making other updates to its goat cheese lineup. The
company recently rebranded one of its most awarded cheeses, Snow
White Goat Cheddar, a traditional bandage-wrapped goat cheddar that
has pleasant citrus and earthy notes.
Snow White Goat Cheddar won " Best of Show " at ACS in 2008 and,
Williams said, is a great example of Carr Valley's longstanding impact on
the cheese and dairy industry in the US and around the world.
Trends in the goat cheese category, she added, mirror what's
happening throughout the specialty cheese industry. In Williams's
words, this can be summed as " flavors, flavors, flavors. "
Carr Valley is well positioned to take advantage.
" We're always brainstorming fun creations, but we have some
wonderful and unique sweet goat cheeses available, including our
Sweet Vanilla Cardona, Cocoa Cardona, and Boozin Billy, " Williams said.
Demand for goat cheeses category-wide continues to be strong,
she said, as consumers become more invested in and educated about
digestive health.
Some consumers, for instance, have found that it's easier to digest
goat milk products because the milk naturally contains only the A2
casein and has slightly lower lactose levels.
" Additionally, I think as retailers continue to expand their offerings
across the country, goat milk cheese has over time become more
accessible for communities, " Williams said. " As opposed to the
continued traditions seen in cow milk varieties, goat milk cheese
manufacturers are constantly inventing and putting out new products,
which creates excitement in the retail world. "
Bring on the fruit, wine and heat
Customers and consumers love the two latest goat cheeses from Laura
Chenel, Mango Habanero and Pear, Wine & Rosemary, said Durae Hardy,
brand manager.
" We strive to accentuate the clean flavor and indulgent texture of our
fresh goat cheese when we work with any inclusions. The response to
both new cheeses has been very fun - people love how balanced the
flavors are and also just how surprising, unique and delicious. "
The newest of the two, Pear, Wine & Rosemary, which is marketed in
log form, was developed in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of
America Consulting.
Hardy said Laura Chenel wanted to create a flavor inspired by the
taste of its home, Sonoma's Wine Country.
The log is complemented with sweet and earthy ripe pears, the
aroma of a bright Sauvignon Blanc, and finished with an herbaceous
burst of fresh rosemary.
42 - SEPTEMBER 2024
supermarketperimeter.com
Carr Valley, LaClare, Laura Chenel
Carr Valley has
added several new
products to its lineup
of goat cheeses.
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Supermarket Perimeter - September 2024

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