Wegmans, Cornell boost NY cheese industry

Wegmans, Cornell boost New York artisan cheese industry

Associated Press

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) -- The Wegmans supermarket chain is partnering with Cornell University in a project showcasing and promoting New York's specialty cheese industry.

Wegmans announced Wednesday that a selection of New York cheeses from five artisan cheesemakers will be available at its store in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford. Wegmans also has committed $360,000 in funding for a pilot program at Cornell to train cheesemakers and increase the quality and amount of New York-made cheeses.

Wegmans plans to buy cheese before it's aged, and finish aging it in a new facility it's building.

The first cheesemakers in the Wegmans project are Keeley's Cheese Company in Cayuga County; Danascara Artisan Cheese from Fonda in Montgomery County; Sprout Creek Farm in Poughkeepsie; Goats and Gourmets in Westerlo, Albany County; and Old Chatham Sheepherding in Columbia County.