Thursday, October 16, 2008

State Officials Congratulate Vermont Butter & Cheese On Awards

International Honors Demonstrate Importance of Cheese Production To Vermont’s Farms, Economy

WEBSTERVILLE – Officials from the State of Vermont congratulated a local artisanal cheese manufacturer for their recent international accolades and stressed the importance of such operations to Vermont’s economy and farms.

Agriculture and economic development officials praised Vermont Butter & Cheese for the five awards the Websterville company recently received at the World Cheese Awards held in Dublin, Ireland.

“We are very pleased to honor Vermont Butter & Cheese,” said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts at a ceremony at the company’s factory on Thursday. “These international awards demonstrate how Vermont’s farmers and producers of quality, value-added agricultural and food products can compete in the worldwide market.”

He said Vermont Butter & Cheese’s commitment to the state is demonstrated by their support of more than 20 local, family-owned farms.

“Businesses like Vermont Butter and Cheese are an important part of our economy, and that’s why the state supports them,” said Commerce and Community Development Secretary Kevin Dorn. “Not only do they help preserve our farms and working landscape, which are so important to tourism, but value added products provide good-paying jobs for Vermonters.”

Company co-founders Allison Hooper and Bob Reese thanked the state for the assistance provided, which included $174,500 from Dorn’s agency as well as Vermont Economic Development Authority loans.

“We’re very pleased the state has recognized the importance of these awards, and are very proud of our staff,” said Reese, the company’s president. “This is a reflection of their dedication to producing a world-class product.”

“Companies like this define our state’s commitment to high quality, value-added agricultural and food products that consumers from around the world associate with Vermont,” Dorn said. “We are proud that Vermont Butter & Cheese has been a partner in our economic development efforts from its early days.”

Founded in Brookfield in 1984, Vermont Butter & Cheese Company is now a world renowned producer of artisanal cheese and butter.

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