December 13, 2024
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© 2024 Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

WISCONSIN-MADE — “The Wisconsin” gift collection from Burnett Dairy features the cooperative’s Original Cheddar Gruyere, Herbs de Provence, Triple Pepper, Northwoods Cheddar and Hickory Smoked Gouda, along with other Wisconsin-made favorites.

By Rena Archwamety

MADISON, Wis. — For the holidays, cheese and dairy products can offer a versatile, convenient and on-trend gift, whether purchased in a pre-curated collection or custom-selected for a special occasion.

According to a trends analysis from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW), today’s gift recipients increasingly are seeking experience, connection, convenience and indulgence. Artisan cheese is one option that aligns with these preferences, offering a unique way to bring people together and create memorable moments, explains Suzanne Fanning, chief marketing officer of DFW’s Wisconsin Cheese promotional arm.

“Cheese is definitely having a moment and evolving into a beloved cultural phenomenon,” Fanning says. “From millions of social media mentions to a significant rise in exports, cheese is experiencing global appreciation.

Wisconsin specialty cheese sales are outpacing the entire specialty cheese category, which is a testament to the growing demand for high-quality, artisanal cheese.”

Both DFW and the California Milk Advisory Board’s checkoff-funded dairy promotion arm, Real California Milk, are promoting locally sourced dairy product gift packs, with links to processors with these specific options.

“From a cheese board on Oprah’s Favorite Things list ( from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.) to a creamy, dreamy ice cream advent calendar (from Double Rainbow Ice Cream), even cheeses for the Cal Poly alum on your list — curated collections of California cheese and dairy goodness are always the right size and have something for every taste and budget,” Real California Milk says. “Whether you’re sending a gift or ordering a little treat for your holiday table, by looking for the Real California Milk seal, you’ll know products are made with sustainably sourced milk from the state’s dairy farm families.”

Real California Milk adds that in the spirit of giving, the state’s dairy families also are celebrating the season by gifting a $10,000 refrigeration grant to Central Valley food banks to increase access to fresh, wholesome foods like milk and dairy all year long.

Wisconsin Cheese has a dedicated page, https://wisconsincheese.com/our-cheese/order-online/gift-basket, where it features more than 20 cheese gift boxes, including the Raclette Party Gift Basket by Alpinage Cheese; Ron’s Farmstead Collection and Westby Cooperative’s Hometown Pride Gift Box with small-batch, locally sourced cheeses; Marieke Gouda Cheese Lovers Box and Cedar Grove’s Sweet Home River Valley Gift Box designed for convenience with ready-to-serve selections; and indulgent spreads like the Royal Guernsey Butter Box and Shullsburg Creamery Family Size Cheese and Sausage Gift Box.

Across the country, The Kroger Co. is sharing a curated guide from Murray’s Cheese for creative gift-giving and entertaining for the holidays. Murray’s, which operates several retail shops in New York City as well as an e-commerce program, also has cheese counters at more than 1,200 Kroger-owned stores nationwide.

“Let Murray’s and Kroger help you impress friends and family this holiday season with easy, memorable and delightful gifts,” says Kristine Rogers, director of specialty cheese and Murray’s Cheese in Kroger. “From custom cheeseboards as the perfect host gift, to family-friendly holiday recipes and ingredients, Murray’s Cheese and Kroger offer delicious and convenient gifts ready to pick up in store.”

Among the cheese gift ideas Kroger highlights are:

• For the entertainer: A custom cheeseboard with crowd-pleasing cheeses, cured meats, jams, nuts and more. Murray’s offers classics such as Brie, English Cheddar and Gouda, or other cheesemonger-guided selections. Pre-made Murray’s cheeseboards in various sizes and varieties also are available.

• For the connoisseur: Murray’s famed New York cheese caves are recognized around the world, and several cheeses recently received honors at the World Cheese Awards. Many unique cave-aged cheeses are debuting at select Kroger stores for the first time, including Cave Aged Reserve Mini Greensward, Cave Aged Limited Coffee Break and Cave Aged Original Buttermilk Basque.

• For the sweet tooth: Cheese can be served for dessert, such as nutty Gouda alongside chocolates, caramels and peanuts, or a Brie like Fromage d’Affinois paired with Murray’s Spiced Cherry Preserves.

• For the family: Murray’s offers family-friendly recipes for the holiday season at www.kroger.com, including Murry’s Classic Mac & Cheese with a blend of three cheeses or Murray’s Mascarpone Cupcakes.

• For those away from home: Murray’s Cheese Clubs offer five monthly club experiences that ship across the country year-round.

Aside from just cheese, the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), funded by the nation’s milk companies, has teamed up with award-winning bakery Milk Bar for a special holiday-themed cereal gift box.

The limited-edition got milk? x Milk Bar Holiday Cookie Cereal is a blend of mini peppermint-flavored cookie bows and white chocolate peppermint cookie bits specially designed to be enjoyed with a pour of cold dairy milk.

“Nothing captures the spirit of the holidays quite like the classic combination of cookies and milk,” says MilkPEP Vice President of Consumer Marketing Miranda Abney. “We worked with Milk Bar to create a playful twist on the classic cookies and milk combo that is perfect for the holiday gifting season.”

MilkPEP and Milk Bar worked together for months to design the nostalgic cookie cereal to celebrate the “brilliance of dairy milk and the spirit of delicious bites this holiday season,” adds Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi.

“Our love of milk at Milk Bar runs deep, and we wanted to create something that would bring joy and fun to our menu this holiday season,” Tosi says. “Eat the buttery, crunchy mix first, then smile big and bottoms up with the perfect subtly minty cookie cereal milk!”

The got milk? x Milk Bar Holiday Cookie Cereal is available for nationwide shipping at MilkBarStore.com for $20. The offering also is available in-store at Milk Bar Bakeries and through local Uber Eats and Doordash delivery in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., complete with a pairing of cold dairy milk, including lactose-free options, for $24.

MilkPEP is using this special offering to promote the nutritional benefits of dairy milk as well as the nostalgic pairing of milk and cookies.

“Dairy milk is not just a traditional pairing for cookies; it enhances the flavor experience by providing a creamy, rich texture that complements the sweetness of the cereal,” MilkPEP explains. “The natural fats in dairy milk help balance the peppermint and white chocolate flavors, and its essential nutrients, like complete protein, calcium and vitamin D, balance out this holiday indulgence.”

CMN