Cheese: Later Developments: Distribution Trends

One of the trends aiding specialty cheese consumption in the United States has been the development of alternative means of distribution. While industrial production is well established and the food supply lines entrenched, the ability to find and purchase artisan cheese has been severely limited. Since it is often perceived to be a healthy, or natural, product, most health food stores have followed the lead of gourmet stores (indeed, in the Whole Foods chain, the two concepts have merged) in stocking cheese. Huge displays of hitherto unknown cheeses are more common in suburban markets, where before they had been found only in urban specialty or ethnic markets. The rise of farmers’ markets as places to find natural, wholesome, local foods is also significant. Many farmers’ market organizers, having previously neglected dairy and other animal foods, now actively recruit farmstead cheese makers.