Indulge in the Flavors of Local Cheese
June 4th is National Cheese Day and is the perfect opportunity to experience a taste of local cheese flavors. Over 98% of Arizona dairies are still family-owned and operated. Although Arizona might not officially be known as the “cheese state,” the state houses quite a robust local dairy industry. Arizona has ranked as one of the top two highest milk producing states in the nation.
A key player in the local dairy scene is the United Dairymen of Arizona, or UDA. UDA is a local, family-built, dairy cooperative that was established in 1960 to provide a stable market for dairy farmers and steady supply of dairy products for consumers. The co-op produces milk, cream, buttermilk, and other products sourced from 61 local dairy farms. According to UDA, 70% of all the milk produced in Arizona is consumed directly by Arizona customers, including store and big brand products like Kroger, Albertsons, Daisy Sour Cream, and Fairlife. In fact, Arizona dairies provide over 80% of the milk found in local grocery stores.
In 1960, there were nearly 400 family dairies in Arizona providing milk to Arizonians, but the latest numbers reveal only 80 family dairy farms remain in Arizona. As the number of local dairies decrease and agricultural operations are being squeezed by development, it’s important to support local dairy farmers and the thousands of jobs supported by the local dairy industry.
For those that prefer dairy-free “cheeze,” there are also local alternatives to dairy as well.
Explore this list of local cheese makers, artisans, and farmers that are popping up and offering delicious locally-made cheeses and cheezes across the state of Arizona!
ARTISAN CHEESE
Crow’s Dairy - Buckeye, Arizona
If you’re looking for Grade A farmstead goat milk cheese, you’ve come to the right place. Crow’s Dairy is a fifth generation, family-owned and operated dairy farm. In 2008, after 30+ years of milking Holstein cows, the Crow family began milking their first herd of Nubian dairy goats and have not looked back! Over their years with growing demand, their small herd of 25 goats has grown to over 300 goats, and their goat milk feta and chevre is served at some of the best local farm-to-table restaurants, resorts, and can be found at farmers markets across Phoenix!
Learn more about Crow’s Dairy and be sure to give them a follow.
Fiore di Capra- Pomerene, Arizona
Looking for award-winning goat cheese, yogurt, and kefir? Fiore di Capra produces a variety of goat milk cheese, such as feta, chevre, and goat-cheese spreads – expertly made by farmer and cheesemaker Alethea Swift.
Tucson CSA offers weekly and bi-weekly subscriptions of Fiore di Capra chévre logs that are available in plain or rolled in herbs, smoked paprika, and chipotle. Depending on the season, you can also find a selection of goat cheese spreads and feta in the CSA shop.
Arizona Farms Cheese - Tempe, Arizona
Arizona Farms Cheese offers quality cheese that is made from local milk, which is why their cheesemaking team utilizes the highest possible standards of quality and safety while still creating cheese in small batches from fresh milk sourced from local Arizona dairies.
Since 2009, the United Dairymen of Arizona has been offering Arizona Farms Cheese and entrusting Wisconsin-trained cheesemakers to perfect this time-honored craft at their Tempe, Arizona facilities. Arizona Cheese Company offers fresh, squeaky cheese curds, delicious cheddar and jack cheese, and other cheese every week that you can find in local supermarkets and artisan markets. You can purchase online or visit their Milk & More store to get your hands on super fresh cheese, local milk, and a variety of other locally made dairy products.
Hassayampa Cheese - Kirkland, Arizona
An hour south of Prescott lies Hassayampa Vineyard and Farm, a small farm that not only grows produce but also creates wine and the most amazing, artisan-aged cheeses. Owners, Matt and Sarah Hyde, and their dozen cows work together to craft two varieties of artisan cheese. These artisan cheeses are in their own “hassiago” style, which are young and medium-aged cheese, and are the perfect addition in sandwiches, cheese boards, salads, and more.
They take pride in overseeing every step of their cheesemaking production since the crafting or artisan cheese is precise. From the cow’s diet, milking the cow, forming the cheese, and even the curing, which they do in a “cheese cave,” provides top-of-line quality control.
Get your hands on their cheese at the Prescott Farmers Market, and explore their other offerings too, like wine, tomatoes, fruit, and more. Learn more about their farm here!
Peace Love & Smoked Cheese - Tucson, Arizona
Peace Love & Smoke Cheese is known for their cold-smoked cheeses, like Smoked Hatch Green Chile Cream Cheese, White Cheddar Hatch Green Chile, Provolone, Munster, Habanero and more. They primarily sell at farmers markets, wine festivals, and special events in the Tucson area and across the state.
Give them a follow on social media to stay in the know on where they will be next!
Mingle & Graze - Chandler, Arizona
Just like their name implies, Mingle & Graze is the spot to sit back, relax, and dive into their selection of fine cheeses and curated eats in downtown Chandler. Stop by their restaurant to experience all they have to offer, order mingle and grazing boxes online, or book them to cater your next event.
VEGAN/PLANT-BASED CHEESE
Virgin Cheese - Clarkdale, Arizona
Back in 2014, Jodi Paige, Chief Cheese Officer of Virgin Cheese, started growing her own produce in the Mojave desert, and her Las Vegas community was becoming more excited about the creative plant-based cuisine she was creating. On the night of an animal sanctuary opening, she prepared a vegan cheese appetizer table, with eight varieties of organic, nut-milk based cheese for the guests. The artisanal cheese was paired with wine, and the first Virgin Cheese pop up was born!Now setting up shop in Clarkdale, near the foothills of Jerome, Jodi has brought amazing vegan cheese offerings to the Verde Valley, a blossoming wine region of central Arizona. It’s a match made in vegan heaven! Learn more about Virgin Cheese, where you can purchase locally, and how to order online.
No Harm No Cow - Phoenix, Arizona
This LGBTQ and Black-owned business is all about giving consumers the power to create delicious, environmentally friendly, and plant-based meals at home, using their cashew-based condiments and cheese! Easy to prepare, these plant-based condiments, such as cheese blends and ranch dressing, use organic cashews and other ingredients.
Order online and follow their journey on social media!
Fluffy Vegan - Phoenix, Arizona
Meet Kimberly and Casey, aka Fluffy Vegans! When they went plant-based a few years ago, they searched for tasty and flavorful vegan food and snacks. After an unsuccessful search, they decided to create their own, bringing satiating vegan snacks and “cheeze” to the Valley.
Offering a variety of cashew cheese varieties, like “Notzarella,” “It's All Gouda,” and more, Fluffy Vegan has created quite a fan following. their “cheeze” products often sell out early when they’re at farmers markets. But, you can order their products online and follow them on Instagram to see where they will be popping up next.
Plant Beast - Phoenix, Arizona
Going vegan doesn't mean you have to give up that decadently delish queso! Plant Beast keeps it simple by offering three levels of queso that not only tastes great but is made in small-batches with clean ingredients you already know and love. Plant Beast’s queso dip is not only good for you but can cure your “cheezy” cravings!
Follow them on social media or check out their website to find out which farmers markets they’ll be popping up at next.
More Ways to Support Local Dairy and Cheese Artisans
Find more local food artisans, producers, and farmers in your area who are providing some of the best locally made and grown food.
Watch the short film about local dairies here: “The Trail of Arizona Dairy” and learn what happens to local milk when it leaves the farm and how it arrives at our local supermarkets in 48 hours.
Learn about the history, nutritional benefits and local dairy products in Arizona.
If you’re a food bank or food pantry that is interested in adding more dairy, be sure to apply for the Cool Dairy Grant from the Dairy Council of Arizona that provides a one to two refrigerated dairy cases and Arizona Farms cheese curds (deadline closes on July 31, 2023).