MEDIA RELEASE, July 29 2020: Iconic West Australian dairy Brownes Dairy will bring WA-made traditional cheddar cheese back to local supermarket shelves for the first time in fourteen years.
Brownes will become the only WA-based company producing cheddar cheese on a large scale from fresh Western Australian milk in a move that is expected to grow the dairy industry and create jobs along the supply chain.
“Brownes Dairy has a rich history of making cheese, which dates back to the 1930s. We want to bring cheddar cheese back to WA because we know there is demand for it and we are keen to invest in WA dairy,” said Brownes Dairy CEO Tony Girgis.
The WA-made cheddar from Brownes Dairy will use old style cheddaring techniques, including long and slow maturation at low temperatures.
Last produced in WA for local consumers in 2006, Brownes Dairy has made significant investment at its Creamery in Brunswick in WA’s South West to make traditional cheddar from local milk.
“It’s exciting to be going back to our roots and giving the people of WA a local product that they’ve certainly missed,” said Mr Girgis.
While there are other cheddar brands in WA, the vast majority is made elsewhere and then imported to WA and branded for sale in WA supermarkets.
“Consumers probably don’t think about their fresh cheese travelling across the nullabor, but until now that’s what has been happening. We are supporting the local dairy industry by introducing a family staple back into WA supermarkets,” said Mr Girgis.
WA currently imports 15,000 tonnes of cheddar cheese a year. Total cheese imports into the state amounts to about 50,000 tonnes of cheese annually.
A couple of small cheese manufacturers in WA also produce high quality, speciality cheese from WA milk, contributing to the availability of locally-made cheese products to WA families, however, this is in small volumes.
The Brownes range includes a mature cheddar cheese aged for 12 months, which is perfect for everyday cooking. There is also a vintage heritage reserve cheddar, aged between 24-36 months – perfect for pairing with a great South West red wine and friends.
The return of WA-made traditional cheddar cheese comes after Brownes Dairy revived another old classic, bringing back the “Milko” delivery service, initially to households self isolating due to COVID-19.This service has proved so popular, it is set to continue.
Brownes Dairy is committed to evolving its business and ensuring WA consumers have the freshest dairy products to choose from, both instore and through online ordering.
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About Brownes Dairy
Brownes Dairy is Australia’s oldest dairy company, established in 1886. Brownes Dairy operates out of its main site in Balcatta with a second site in Brunswick collecting about 150 million litres of milk each year from more than 50 dairy farms located in WA’s South West. Brownes Dairy has a diverse portfolio of dairy including milk, cream, yoghurt, flavoured milk, juice and desserts. Brownes Dairy was named as one of the country’s most innovative companies as part of the Australian Financial Review’s 2019 BOSS annual awards, and was the only dairy company to make the list.
Media Contact
Heidi Cuthbert
heidi.cuthbert@multiplier.com.au
+61 411 272 366
