anyone noticed the lack of organic cheese in stores lately?

CharlottesWeb

I used to buy bags of shredded cheddar, pizza cheese, mexican blend cheese etc. at either my local grocery or Whole Foods. I have noticed over the past couple months that these are either completely out of stock or A LOT more expensive (like the 365 brand is $2 more per bag). So I decided to buy blocks of organic cheese and make my own shredded cheeses. No luck there either!

I contacted my local grocer and WF. My local grocer got back to me and told me that the vendor they buy them from has stopped making the organic cheese.

This is interesting, and I'm thinking that maybe it has to do directly with the new requirements of organic dairy cows to be pastured etc. What do you think?

sillygoosegirl

We've always had trouble finding organic cheese.  Though I suppose part of this is that DH is a cheese snob and rejects 90% of the cheeses we sample... so unless they have a wide variety of organic cheese, he's unlikely to find one he likes.  

I'm really glad to hear that they've changed the requirements to include pasturing though, and I wouldn't be surprised if that made a big difference in supply.  On the other hand, I'm much more interested in buying grass-fed cheese than cheese from a cow fed organic corn in an industrial setting.  I haven't bothered much with organic dairy for this reason in the past.  

Honeybumble

sillygoosegirl:

We've always had trouble finding organic cheese.  Though I suppose part of this is that DH is a cheese snob and rejects 90% of the cheeses we sample... so unless they have a wide variety of organic cheese, he's unlikely to find one he likes.  

I'm really glad to hear that they've changed the requirements to include pasturing though, and I wouldn't be surprised if that made a big difference in supply.  On the other hand, I'm much more interested in buying grass-fed cheese than cheese from a cow fed organic corn in an industrial setting.  I haven't bothered much with organic dairy for this reason in the past.  

I agree about grass-fed beef.... but it's so hard to find where I am!

OP, I would absolutely say that this has to do with the new regulation, but I'm definitely excited about it for the long-run. Have you tried instead to find cheese from another animal? ......Expensive, I know. Looks like it's time for me to start making my own! ::scurries off to find some organic sheep, goats, and cattle::

 

Alisha_A

Hmm... no, I haven't. I don't usually buy shredded cheese, but I haven't seen any empty shelves. I live around a lot of dairy land, but then, I would think so do you.

If its because of increased regulation on compliance, then good!

CDMay2006

I don't buy cheese very often (except chevre, mmmmm), so i haven't noticed.  Could someone please point me toward information about the pasteurization issue (rather than take the time to explain, unless you're so inclined).  Or maybe just write a sentence about it so i can look it up myself... thanks

Alisha_A

CDMay, I didn't see any comments on pasteurization -- I think you misread, pasturing. The organic regulations and compliance monitoring for pasture time for organic dairy has been restructured as of this summer.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18221.cfm

http://www.grist.org/article/2010-02-12-usda-pasture-rules-organic-dairy

CDMay2006

Alisha_A:

CDMay, I didn't see any comments on pasteurization -- I think you misread, pasturing. The organic regulations and compliance monitoring for pasture time for organic dairy has been restructured as of this summer.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18221.cfm

http://www.grist.org/article/2010-02-12-usda-pasture-rules-organic-dairy

That makes so much more sense!  That's what i get for trying to read those teeny tiny letters on my phone : /  Thanks for the info!

GRKaters

I've never looked for organic cheese in the store, but we do get organic/raw-milk cheese from grass-fed cows (or goats) through our food co-op.

 

SuperGreen

My WF carries the most of the Organic Valley cheeses, which are from pastured cows.  I just buy the blocks and shred it myself as I need it.  That way there's no "cellulose added to prevent clumping" and the cheese keeps longer IMHO.

CharlottesWeb

I used to buy the OV shredded pizza variety, but they haven't had it lately. I'll keep looking!

kris216

I buy a local organic cheese so I don't usually look for the national brands to notice if they've been less available.  Maybe you can find a local producer?