South Woodstock
posted
Dec 13, 2012
Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company and Castleton Crackers
join forces
On Friday, Dec. 7, Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company (VFCC) has
announced its acquisition of Castleton Crackers and unveiled an
exciting business partnership for the two 'made-in-Vermont'
specialty food products. This also marks the first time in recent
history that two Vermont companies - one producing cheese and the
other manufacturing crackers - have joined forces.
A perfect marriage, the award-winning cracker and cheese
companies see endless potential in aligning their like-minded
brands to expand their reach and further promote the high quality
and rich character of Vermont's ever-expanding specialty foods
marketplace.
"Vermont is currently home to hundreds of producers of specialty
artisanal foods that illustrate the diversity and character of the
state and region," states VFCC's Senior Vice President, Specialty
Foods, Valerie Traynor. "Our exciting venture with Castleton
Crackers will allow both of our brands to creatively enhance our
own product lines while building awareness for Vermont's
top-quality specialty food offerings nationally."
Castleton Crackers Founder Whitney Lamy started her company by
adapting an 1800s recipe for homemade crackers and sharing them
with friends and family. Inspired by the number of artisan and
farmstead cheese companies forming across Vermont, Lamy launched
her brand at the Rutland Winter Farmers Market in 2008. Having
received positive response and success in the first few years of
business development, Castleton Crackers reached a point in 2012 of
potential growth and expansion that required outside investment to
take the business to the next level.
Formed two years ago, VFCC proved the ideal partner; not just
because the company's award-winning cheeses pair perfectly with the
wholesome Vermont crackers, but VFCC also shares a passion and an
overarching vision for promoting the artisanal makers of Vermont
food products far beyond the state. Through this new partnership,
VFCC and Castleton Crackers will focus their efforts on driving
more marketing, organizing operations and expanding product
research and development.
"I am thrilled to have found a partner in the Vermont Farmstead
Cheese Company," said Lamy. "The team shares my passion for
specialty foods and for supporting our state's farming and small
business communities."
The partnership was officially announced at the Rutland Winter
Farmers Market on Saturday, Dec. 8.
ABOUT VERMONT FARMSTEAD CHEESE COMPANY:
The Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company (www.vermontfarmstead.com)
began as an inspiring community effort to save a local farm and its
surrounding rural landscape. Today, it is an award-winning cheese
company creating an entirely new generation of unique farmstead and
artisanal cheeses.
Based in South Woodstock, Vt., the farm is home to a
prize-winning, multi-breed herd, with an adjoining 5,500-sq. ft.
production facility. The company's creative cheesemakers employ
traditional and sustainable dairy farming practices in creating a
line of the highest-quality, "old-world" cheeses with distinct
Vermont authenticity and style.
Moreover, the company's mission is to foster and support the
state's farming communities, having established The Vermont Dairy
Foundation as a way to develop sustainable small family dairy farms
in Vermont through education and business support. The Foundation
was also created to help reverse the trend of declining dairy farms
and boost the agricultural way of life in Vermont.
ABOUT CASTLETON CRACKERS:
Founded in 2008 by Whitney Lamy in Castleton, Vt., Castleton
Crackers (www.castletoncrackers.com) is an all-natural line of
artisanal and hand-cracked crackers inspired by an 1800s recipe.
Mixed, rolled, baked and cracked by hand, the wholesome,
rustic-looking crackers are available in six flavors: Grafton
Graham, Middlebury Maple, Rutland Rye, Windham Wheat, Putney
Pumpkin and Richmond Rosemary. Castleton Crackers contain no trans
fats or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Castleton
Crackers are available nationwide.
