Frederic Melton
Cabot Creamery is a dairy agricultural marketing cooperative that has been making cheese and other dairy products since 1919. It was formed by 94 families from Cabot, Vermont, who came together to ensure their livelihood. The cooperative started out by making butter with excess milk and began shipping its products across the country. In 1930, it started making cheese and today, it has over 1,000 employees across four creameries in three states. While Cabot Creamery has faced challenges, including allegations regarding the use of rBST in its products, it continues to be a well-known producer of cheese and dairy products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Cabot, Vermont |
| Year of establishment | 1919 |
| Owner | Agri-Mark |
| Number of awards | 19 |
| Number of member farmers in 1960 | 600 |
| Number of farm members as of 2012 | 1,200 |
| Number of employees | 1,000+ |
| Number of creameries | 4 |
| Number of states | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
- Cabot Creamery Cooperative: Owned by Agri-Mark, based in Vermont
- Cabot Farmers' store: Located in Waterbury, Vermont
- Cabot's history: 94 families formed a cooperative in 1919
- Awards: Cabot's cheese has won many awards, including at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1894
- rBST concerns: In 2011, concerns were raised about Cabot products containing rBST
Cabot Creamery Cooperative: Owned by Agri-Mark, based in Vermont
Cabot Creamery Cooperative is an American dairy agricultural marketing cooperative owned by Agri-Mark. It was formed in 1919 by 94 families from Cabot, Vermont, who pooled their resources to ensure their livelihood, knowing they would be stronger together. Today, Cabot's farm families continue to support each other, employing over 1,000 people across four creameries in three states.
The cooperative started out making butter from excess milk produced by its members and began shipping its products south. In 1930, it expanded into cheese production. By 1960, the cooperative had 600 member farmers, although the number of farms in Vermont and across the nation was steadily declining.
Following a decline in membership, the Cabot Farmers Cooperative Creamery merged with Agri-Mark in 1992. Agri-Mark is a farmer-owned cooperative with around 1,800 member families in New England and New York. As a result of the merger, Cabot Creamery became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agri-Mark, incorporated as Cabot Creamery Cooperative Inc.
Cabot Creamery has a plant in Cabot, Vermont, and its administrative headquarters are in Waitsfield, Vermont. The company has retail stores in Waterbury and Hardwick, Vermont, where visitors can purchase a range of cheese and dairy products, as well as limited-edition merchandise.
Cabot Creamery's cheese has received numerous awards, including being listed as one of the "'100 great cheeses' of the world by Wine Spectator in 2008." The company has also faced challenges, such as allegations in 2011 that some of its products made in 2009 and 2010 may have contained rBST, a hormone that increases milk production in cows.
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Cabot Farmers' store: Located in Waterbury, Vermont
Cabot Farmers' Store, located in Waterbury, Vermont, is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the New England area. The store is situated at 2657 Waterbury-Stowe Road and offers a wide array of products that will delight any visitor.
Cabot Farmers' Store is known for its diverse selection of Cabot products and other Vermont specialty foods. Visitors can indulge in a variety of cheeses, including unique flavours like Tuscan and Maple Cheddar, alongside a range of jams, jellies, and mac and cheese. The store also offers a delectable sweet and savoury popcorn mix, perfect for those who enjoy a combination of flavours. For those who want to indulge in the full cheese experience, there are cheese serving boards and fondue pots available for purchase.
The store boasts a spacious and bright interior, allowing visitors to comfortably browse the extensive collection of products. The friendly staff are always ready to assist, providing a hassle-free shopping experience. Visitors can also take advantage of the opportunity to sample various products, ensuring they find their new favourite treat.
In addition to the Cabot brand, Agri-Mark, the company behind Cabot, also owns McCadam Cheese, which has its headquarters in Chateaugay, New York. Agri-Mark is a membership organisation incorporated in Delaware, with members supplying equity capital and directly electing its directors. The Cabot Creamery, owned and operated by real farmers, has a long history of producing award-winning cheese and other dairy products, with a focus on sustainability and ethical practices.
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Cabot's history: 94 families formed a cooperative in 1919
In 1919, 94 families from Cabot, Vermont, formed a cooperative to ensure their livelihood and protect their interests. This cooperative became known as the Cabot Creamery Cooperative, and it has been a staple of the Vermont dairy industry ever since. The original investment for the plant in Cabot, Vermont, came from these 94 farmers, who contributed proportionally to the number of cattle they owned. This totalled $3,700 (equivalent to $67,100 in 2024).
Initially, the cooperative made butter from excess milk, which they shipped to southern states. Over time, they expanded their operations to include cheese production, starting in 1930. The Cabot cooperative has always been committed to innovation and sustainability, and this commitment has been reflected in their farming and manufacturing practices.
The Cabot Farmers' store is located at 2657 Waterbury-Stowe Road in Waterbury, Vermont. In addition to their retail presence, Cabot Creamery is also known for its high-quality cheese and dairy products, which have won numerous awards over the years. Their cheddar, in particular, has been recognised as one of the "100 great cheeses" in the world by Wine Spectator in 2008.
Today, Cabot Creamery is owned and operated by real farmers, just as it was in the beginning. The cooperative has grown to include over 1,000 employees across four creameries in three states, but the core values of community and cooperation remain the same. The administrative headquarters are now in Waitsfield, Vermont, and the company is committed to ethical and innovative practices, as evidenced by their B Corp certification.
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Awards: Cabot's cheese has won many awards, including at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1894
Cabot Creamery, owned and operated by farmers, has been making award-winning cheese and other dairy products since 1919. The Cabot Farmers' store is located at 2657 Waterbury-Stowe Road in Waterbury, Vermont. The Cabot Creamery Cooperative has a plant in Cabot, Vermont, and its administrative headquarters are in Waitsfield, Vermont. In 1930, the cooperative started making cheese.
Cabot's cheese has won many awards, including at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1894. The World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, was a world's fair held in Chicago from May 5 to October 31, 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. The exposition was an influential social and cultural event and had a profound effect on American architecture, the arts, American industrial optimism, and Chicago's image. Cabot gained national recognition by winning the first medal at the exposition.
Cabot's cheese and other dairy products have been awarded the best in the world multiple times, establishing the Vermont cheese legacy that still stands today. Cabot's cheese graders taste and sample every wheel and block of cheese as they age to ensure they are perfect. Cabot's cloth-bound cheddar was listed by Wine Spectator as one of the "100 great cheeses" of the world in 2008. In 2008, Cabot Monterey Jack received an award from the American Cheese Society. Cabot Creamery/Agri-Mark also took home 19 awards at the United States Championship Cheese Contest.
Cabot's unsalted butter was named the best American-style butter. Cabot's cheese is the perfect addition to any cheese board, packing incredible flavour, bold sharpness, and goodness into every bite. Cabot's Greek yogurt has also won awards. The cooperative's farmers use innovative practices to manufacture their products more ethically and sustainably.
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rBST concerns: In 2011, concerns were raised about Cabot products containing rBST
In 2011, concerns were raised about Cabot products containing rBST, a hormone that induces cows to produce more milk. The Vermont Attorney General's office alleged that some Cabot products manufactured in 2009 and 2010 could not be certified as rBST-free. This issue prompted an investigation, which revealed that Cabot Creamery Cooperative had overstated claims that none of its farmers used the artificial hormone rBST.
The investigation found that Cabot made misleading statements on its Facebook page and in emails to consumers, asserting that "NO milk containing antibiotics or rBST (rBGH growth hormone) is ever allowed for processing." However, the company could not guarantee the accuracy of this statement for several products bearing the Cabot label. These products included Swiss cheese, mozzarella cheese, whipped cream, American cheese, Colby Jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar powder, butter, Muenster cheese, full-fat pepper jack cheese, horseradish cheese, New York extra sharp cheese, and spreadable cheddar cheese.
As a result of these findings, Cabot agreed to a settlement with the Attorney General's office. The terms of the settlement included a $65,000 payment to the state and $75,000 in donations to local food banks. Additionally, Cabot was required to take steps to avoid misrepresenting the rBST status of its products in the future. The company had to modify or remove misleading statements, such as "Our farmers pledge not to use rBST," and provide transparent information about its non-rBST-free products.
While the FDA has not found significant differences between milk from rbST-treated and non-rbST-treated cows, consumer concerns about the use of rbST in dairy cows remain prevalent, particularly in Vermont. These concerns have influenced purchasing decisions, highlighting the importance of accurate labelling and transparency in the dairy industry. Cabot Creamery, owned and operated by farmers, has a long history of producing award-winning cheese and dairy products, and this incident served as a reminder of the need for stringent labelling practices and consumer awareness.
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Frequently asked questions
Cabot Cheese is made in Vermont, USA. The Cabot Creamery Cooperative is an American dairy agricultural marketing cooperative owned by Agri-Mark, which has a plant in Cabot, Vermont, and an administrative headquarters in Waitsfield, Vermont.
Cabot Creamery makes a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese.
Cabot Creamery has been making cheese since 1930. The cooperative started out making butter with excess milk produced and began shipping its products south.
