Frederic Melton
Sargento Foods Inc. is a family-owned company headquartered in Plymouth, Wisconsin, with additional facilities in Elkhart Lake, Kiel, and Hilbert. The company was founded in 1953 and is best known for its packaged shredded, sliced, and snack natural cheeses. While Sargento does not make its own cheese, it has carefully selected cheese from various cheesemakers for decades, earning the moniker The persnickety cheese people from Plymouth, Wisconsin. The company has recently launched an all-natural American cheese product, which is made with only five ingredients: pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, and vegetable coloring.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company Type | Family-owned |
| Year Founded | 1953 |
| Headquarters | Plymouth, Wisconsin |
| Number of Employees | 1,800-2,500 |
| Business Divisions | Consumer Products, Food Service & Ingredients |
| Cheese Type | Natural, shredded, sliced, snack, specialty, American |
| Cheese Characteristics | Pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, vegetable coloring |
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What You'll Learn
Sargento's natural American cheese
Sargento Foods Inc. is a family-owned company with two business divisions: Consumer Products and Food Service and Ingredients. The company was founded in 1953 in Plymouth, Wisconsin, and has additional facilities in Elkhart Lake, Kiel, and Hilbert. They are best known for their packaged shredded, sliced, and snack natural cheeses, and they employ approximately 1,800 people.
The company's focus on natural ingredients and sustainability is also reflected in their dairy sourcing practices. Sargento works closely with suppliers and milk providers who share their commitment to the ethical treatment of animals. They ensure that the dairy cows providing their milk are well-cared for and healthy, contributing to the natural and high-quality ingredients used in their cheese products.
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Sargento's cheese selection process
Sargento Foods Inc. is a family-owned company with two business divisions: Consumer Products and Food Service and Ingredients. The company is headquartered in Plymouth, Wisconsin, and has been operating in Sheboygan County since 1953. It is best known for its packaged shredded, sliced, snack, and natural cheeses.
Sargento's commitment to quality and innovation has led to the development of vacuum-sealed cheese, ultra-thin slices, and shredded cheese. The company's focus on innovation has been a key driver of its success, allowing it to stand out in the market.
In addition to its cheese selection and innovation, Sargento prioritizes sustainability and ethical practices. The company formed a "green team" in the 1980s to explore ways to reduce its environmental impact. They also ensure the ethical treatment of animals and only work with suppliers and milk providers who share this commitment. Sargento verifies that the dairy cows used in their supply chain are well-cared for and healthy.
Sargento's dedication to quality, innovation, and ethical practices has earned them a reputation as "The persnickety cheese people from Plymouth, Wisconsin." The company's attention to detail and commitment to delivering the best products have contributed to their success and recognition in the cheese industry.
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Sargento's Wisconsin facilities
Sargento Foods Inc. is a family-owned company with two business divisions: Consumer Products and Food Service and Ingredients. The company employs more than 1,800 people across four Wisconsin facilities: Plymouth, Elkhart Lake, Kiel, and Hilbert. The company has been operating in Sheboygan County since 1953 and is best known for its packaged shredded, sliced, and snack natural cheeses.
The company's Wisconsin facilities also showcase its commitment to the local community. Sargento encourages its employees to get involved in community activities, providing them with hours dedicated to volunteering. The company has a strong history of supporting organizations that address food insecurity and promote housing solutions for struggling families in Wisconsin. For instance, they have donated over $1.1 million to Wisconsin food charities through their partnership with the Green Bay Packers, known as "Touchdowns for Charity." Sargento has also actively contributed to Habitat for Humanity, with their volunteers building 26 homes in the Milwaukee area.
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Sargento's community involvement
Sargento Foods Inc. is a family-owned company with strong ties to its local community. Headquartered in Plymouth, Wisconsin, the company has been operating in Sheboygan County since 1953 and currently employs around 1,800 people across four Wisconsin facilities.
Sargento is committed to improving the communities in which its employees live and work. Guided by its commitment to People, Pride & Progress™, Sargento encourages all its employees to get involved in their communities. To facilitate this, employees are given time off to volunteer. The company has a strong history of donating time and money to organisations that help feed and house struggling families. For example, over the past 13 years, Sargento has donated more than $1.1 million to Wisconsin food charities through its Touchdowns for Charity™ partnership with the Green Bay Packers.
Sargento has also been in a decades-long relationship with Habitat for Humanity, with Sargento volunteers building 26 homes in the Milwaukee area. In addition, nearly 80% of employees donate a portion of their paycheck to the nonprofit United Way of Sheboygan County, with Sargento matching these donations dollar-for-dollar. In 2015, the company donated a total of $840,000 to United Way.
Sargento also makes sustainable choices to protect its communities and reduce its environmental impact. At its Plymouth headquarters, a specialised geothermal system draws water from a pond for heating and cooling, and new equipment has been installed to recycle up to 5 tons of cardboard per day. The company also formed a "green team" in the 1980s to explore ways to better care for the environment and ensure the ethical treatment of animals.
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Sargento's environmental initiatives
Sargento is a family-owned company that has been operating in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, since 1953. The company has long been committed to environmental stewardship and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
One of Sargento's key environmental initiatives is its focus on sustainability. At its Plymouth headquarters, the company has invested in a specialized geothermal system that draws water from a pond for heating and cooling, reducing energy consumption and minimizing the use of non-renewable resources. Additionally, Sargento has implemented a new recycling program that enables the effective recycling of up to 5 tons of cardboard boxes daily.
Sargento also prioritizes the ethical treatment of animals and works closely with suppliers and milk providers who share this commitment. The company ensures that dairy cows are well-cared for and healthy, promoting animal welfare throughout its supply chain.
The company's dedication to the environment extends beyond its own operations. Sargento encourages its employees to get involved in their communities and actively contributes to organizations that promote sustainability and environmental conservation. The company has a strong history of donating time and resources to local charities and initiatives, such as the United Way of Sheboygan County, where nearly 80% of employees contribute a portion of their paycheck.
Furthermore, Sargento has a long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and its volunteers have built 26 homes in the Milwaukee area. The company also addresses food insecurity in Wisconsin, having donated over $1.1 million to local food charities through its Touchdowns for Charity™ partnership with the Green Bay Packers.
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Frequently asked questions
Sargento's new natural American cheese is made from just five ingredients: pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, and vegetable coloring.
Sargento's new product is made from 100% real cheese, whereas American cheese is typically made from a blend of cheeses and is therefore considered a "cheese product" or "processed cheese product" rather than cheese.
According to food editor Alex Loh, Sargento's new natural American cheese "feels and tastes real" and has a pleasant "mild sharpness."
