Landmark Creamery, known for its sheep milk cheeses, has nearly tripled its cheesemaking capacity in a new space near Monroe. After renting a smaller production space for nearly a decade, a Dairy Business Innovation Alliance grant has allowed the cheesemaker to move closer to its milk supply and aging facilities in a larger footprint.
“The grants have been super beneficial and really helpful as we’ve tried to work through this expansion,” says Anna Landmark, Landmark Creamery co-owner, cheesemaker, and butter maker. “We’re finally poised now where we’ve got the milk capacity, we’ve got the plant capacity, and now we’ve just got to make more cheese and get it out there.”
Landmark tells Mid-West Farm Report that the dairy business grant of $100,000 and industry support have allowed the creamery to achieve a long-awaited dream.
With the money, Landmark Creamery has moved into the former Deppeler’s Swiss Cheese factory, renting from Chalet Cooperative. The move grew their capacity from 4,000 to 12,000 lbs of milk. The new location streamlined milk hauling from Ms. J & Co. where Landmark gets its sheep milk supply. It’s also closer to the store and aging facility in Paoli. They’ve been able to purchase new equipment and invest in marketing and branding.
“Because we’re trying to grow in scale, we’re looking at adding grocery stores, so we’re adding more cut and wrap cheeses,” she says. “We’re still distributing nationwide to a lot of small cheese shops and restaurants… but we are looking to try to get into more grocery stores.”