Patrick Oconnell
Black River Blue Cheese is made in Ontario, Canada. The cheese is produced by the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy, which has been making the cheese since 2002. The dairy uses milk from the Yurkovich family farm, which has been in operation for nearly 100 years. In January 2023, the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy stopped making Black River Blue Cheese, and the cheese is now produced by a different factory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Prince Edward County, Ontario |
| Manufacturer | North Hendren Cooperative Dairy (until 2023) |
| Manufacturer | Unknown (since 2023) |
| Manufacturer Location | Unknown (since 2023) |
| Ingredients | Cow milk from Prince Edward County dairy farms |
| Ingredients | No modified milk ingredients |
| Ingredients | No artificial preservatives |
| Ingredients | Animal-free rennet |
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What You'll Learn
- Black River Cheese is made in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada
- The cheese is made using milk from local dairy farms
- Three generations of the Yurkovich family have been sending their milk to the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy
- The plant converted from making low-profit commodity cheddar to higher-profit specialty blue cheese in 2002
- The North Hendren Cooperative Dairy is no longer making Black River Blue cheese
Black River Cheese is made in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada
Black River Cheese was established in Prince Edward County in 1901 and is renowned for its passionate dedication to producing only the finest quality cheese, with a focus on natural and local ingredients. The expertise and devotion of the local farmers and cheesemakers shine through in everything they do.
For nearly 100 years, three generations of the Yurkoviches family have sent their farm's milk to the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy, where it is made into cheese. In 2002, the plant converted from making low-profit commodity cheddar into higher-profit specialty blue cheese, which they sold under private label to stores across the country as Black River Blue and Black River Gorgonzola. However, since January, Black River Blue has not been made by North Hendren Cooperative Dairy, as the brokerage firm that purchased the factory's blue cheese cut ties with the farmer cooperative and is now sourcing Black River Blue from a different cheese factory.
Despite these changes, Black River Cheese remains committed to its roots in Prince Edward County, with its cheese still being made elsewhere by Gay Lea and sold at many locations. The original storefront rented by Gay Lea at the Black River Cheese location is permanently closed, but the Black River Market is open and continues to sell Black River Cheese, among other fine foods.
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The cheese is made using milk from local dairy farms
Black River Blue Cheese is made using milk from local dairy farms in Prince Edward County, Ontario. The Yurkovich family, who have been farming in the area for nearly 100 years, send their milk to the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy, where it is made into cheese. The cheese is renowned for its superior taste and handcrafted quality, with a focus on natural and local ingredients.
The North Hendren Cooperative Dairy has been making Black River Blue Cheese since 2002, when it converted from producing low-profit commodity cheddar to higher-profit specialty blue cheese. The cheese is made using pure fluid cow's milk from local dairy farms, with no modified milk ingredients or artificial preservatives. The majority of their cheeses are also made with animal-free rennet.
In recent years, there have been changes in the production and distribution of Black River Blue Cheese. Since 2023, the cheese has no longer been made by the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy. The brokerage firm that purchased the factory's blue cheese for 15 years cut ties with the cooperative and began sourcing Black River Blue from a different cheese factory. As a result, the original North Hendren cheesemakers are no longer able to sell their award-winning blue cheese under the Black River Blue label or any other name to their former distributor customers.
Despite these changes, Black River Blue Cheese continues to be made elsewhere by Gay Lea and is sold at various locations. The cheese remains dedicated to preserving its century-old tradition of producing superior-tasting, handcrafted cheese using milk from local dairy farms.
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Three generations of the Yurkovich family have been sending their milk to the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy
Black River Blue Cheese is made in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. The Yurkovich family have been sending their milk to the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy for nearly 100 years, where it is made into cheese. Three generations of the family have been involved in this process. The plant converted from making low-profit commodity cheddar to higher-profit specialty blue cheese in 2002. Since then, Black River Blue has been sold under private label to stores across the country. However, as of January, Black River Blue is no longer being made by North Hendren Cooperative Dairy. The brokerage firm that purchased the factory's blue cheese cut ties with the farmer cooperative and is now sourcing Black River Blue from a different cheese factory. The farmers are also operating under a non-compete clause, meaning they cannot sell their blue cheese under any name to their former distributor customers.
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The plant converted from making low-profit commodity cheddar to higher-profit specialty blue cheese in 2002
Black River Blue Cheese is made in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. The cheese is made by the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy, which is supplied with milk by three generations of Yurkoviches, who have been farming in the area for nearly 100 years. In 2002, the plant converted from making low-profit commodity cheddar to higher-profit specialty blue cheese. This was a significant change for the plant, as it allowed them to increase their profits and sell their cheese under private labels to stores across the country. The blue cheese is made with the same dedication to quality and natural ingredients as the cheddar, using pure fluid cow milk from local dairy farms. The conversion to blue cheese production was a joint effort between Cheesemaker Mike Vetterkind and General Manager Ashlyn Nowobielski, who have both been in the cheese industry for many years. However, as of January, Black River Blue is no longer made by North Hendren Cooperative Dairy. The brokerage firm that purchased the factory's blue cheese for 15 years has cut ties with the cooperative and is now sourcing Black River Blue from a different cheese factory. Despite this change, Black River Blue Cheese remains a popular and well-regarded product, known for its superior taste and handcrafted quality.
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The North Hendren Cooperative Dairy is no longer making Black River Blue cheese
Black River Blue cheese was made at the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy in Prince Edward County, Ontario, until January 2023. The dairy was established in 1901 and has been dedicated to producing only the finest quality cheese, with a focus on natural and local ingredients. The cheese was made with milk from three generations of the Yurkovich family, who have been sending their milk to the dairy for nearly 100 years.
However, since January, Black River Blue has not been made by North Hendren Cooperative Dairy. The brokerage firm that purchased the factory's blue cheese for 15 years cut ties with the farmer cooperative and is now sourcing Black River Blue from a different cheese factory. As part of the buy-out agreement, the farmers are operating under a non-compete clause for one year, meaning they cannot sell their blue cheese under any name, including Black River Blue, to any of their former distributor customers.
It is unclear where Black River Blue cheese is now being made, but it is still available for purchase at various locations.
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Frequently asked questions
Black River Blue Cheese is made in Ontario, Canada.
Black River Blue Cheese is made by the North Hendren Cooperative Dairy.
Black River Blue Cheese is made from pure fluid cow milk from Prince Edward County dairy farms.
Black River Blue Cheese has been made for nearly 100 years.
Black River Blue Cheese is sold in stores across Canada.
