Shepherds Purse, an award-winning artisan Yorkshire cheesemaker, has partnered with Acorn Organic Dairy to launch its first organic cheese, Organic Yorkshire Blue.

The Soil Association approved blue cheese has taken 12 months to develop using Acorn Organic Dairy's rich organic milk from cows grazing on pasture in Yorkshire and the Durham Dales. Organic versions of its other cow's milk cheeses will follow, creating a full organic range. 

Shepherds Purse, which is celebrating its 35^th anniversary this year, has established an award-winning range of 10 cow, sheep and buffalo cheeses but this will be its first organic cheese in the range. It is available for independent retailers and cheesemongers to order via their wholesalers, and to consumers online, from 1^st March 2024.

Yorkshire Blue, a mild and creamy cow's milk blue cheese, launched in 1995 and was the family-run cheesemaker's first blue cheese. It has gone on to become Shepherds Purse' most popular cheese winning a trophy cabinet of awards including Gold at the World Cheese Awards 2019. It is sold in multiple retailers, cheesemongers and independent food retailers across the country including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Booths, Sainsbury's and Tesco and makes up over 40% of its total sales.

Caroline Bell, joint managing director of Shepherds Purse cheese said: "We're thrilled to have officially launched the organic version of our popular Yorkshire Blue in collaboration with Acorn Organic Dairy.  We've been driven by a passion for artisan cheesemaking and health, which has gone hand-in-hand with a deep commitment to farming and sustainability, ever since our mum, Judy Bell, founded Shepherds Purse 35 years ago.  It's special to be launching this cheese in our 35^th year, making Yorkshire Blue available to those who are choosing organic for many reasons including for health and sustainability."

Consumer interest in buying organic food is increasing with figures from the Soil Association's annual report showing that the organic food and drink market grew 2% in 2023 ending the year valued at £3.2billion almost double its value in 2011.

Caroline Bell (nee Tweddle), operations manager at Acorn Organic Dairy said: "Our own sustainability story has been a long one and recently commended with the Queen's Award for Sustainable Development.

"Shepherds Purse collaborating to make a cheese with organic milk was discussed every time we met. It is more relevant and welcome than ever before, as we all try to reduce our impact and choose foods whose production builds biodiversity as well as environmental & human health... and if it happens to come in delicious cheese form, even better!"

Shepherds Purse, based near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is an independent family-owned dairy which makes unique world-class cheeses. It was established by Judy Bell MBE in the 1980s and is now run by her two daughters Caroline Bell and Katie Matten. Their cheeses are available across the UK in most major multiples as well as farm shops, independent delicatessens and specialist cheese shops.

For more information on Shepherds Purse, visit: shepherdspurse.co.uk

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