French Kosher Cheese Co-Op
For quite some time now, GourmetFoodStore.com has offered a decent selection of French kosher cheeses. However, most of the time, they’re only available by the case (10-24 cut pieces per case), which has kept them, in my opinion, largely inaccessible to the casual buyer, and the next-day shipping charge can be an obstacle, too. As such, I’d like to initiate, on a trial basis, a cooperative effort to buy four cases and split them up among other kosher cheese afficionados in the Boston area.
Here’s how I envision it. Their Gruyere and Morbier come 10 to a case; the Brie St. Benoit and Roquefort come 16 to a case. We find 10 people to commit to the Gruyere/Morbier purchase at $25/person and 16 people to commit to the Brie/Roquefort purchase at $22/person (both prices include one piece of each cheese in the combo and 1/26th of the overnight shipping charge). Alternatively, participants can buy more than one share and reduce the number of folks required for the purchase.
Would anyone be interested?
UPDATE: Interested parties from the New York City area are also invited to express their interest; we’ll see if we can get two groups going.
If any other Brits are reading this and interested in doing something similar to this great idea, let me know. So far I’ve sourced kosher Parmesan, although expensively. The idea of a co-operative is blooming marvellous.
I’d be interested, and I’ve been trying to also find a source for kosher organic cheese by mail order. If anyone out there knows of one, please let me know!
Here’s at least one person in L.A. that would be interested in starting a group.
BS”D
Sam, we can get most of the same cheeses through Pierre Saban at LA Kosher Foods, far less expensively (I’ve bought cases wholesale from him, since I had a winery, and no doubt, he would do the same for me now). But even if you get the cheese through Cambridge Farms in the Valley or Pico Glatt or Kosher Club, it will still be far less expensive than the prices illustrated above.
Craig Winchell
I’ve been trying to do this in Chicago for venison orders from Musicon and it hasn’t worked yet. I hope you guys have good luck with it!
I’d love to try several of the cheeses. You know how to get in touch with me :)
We’re in central jersey, interested in joining the NYC group.
s6myfl702@sneakemail.com
- precision blogger
http://precision-blogging.blogspot.com
I’m in Brooklyn and would love to get my hands on some Gruyère.
Please contact me for the NY group: habs102@hotmail.com (or please email me if you know a store in the area where this can be bought)
Thanks
Update:
Apparently this company called “World Cheese” (718-965-1700), based out of Brooklyn, controls 70% of the U.S. kosher cheese market. I called them and asked them about Gruyere and they directed me to a store in my neighborhood that has it. For NYers, call them up and ask for a store in your area. The one near me is the Shop-rite on Nostrand.
Long ago, in my non-kosher days, I enjoyed gruyere cheese and have recently tried to locate a kosher version.
I have seen gruyere listed on the Holon Foods website: http://www.holonfoods.com
Specifically, the gruyere is at:
http://www6.ivenue.com/holonfoods/item38986.ctlg
I e-mailed them recently and asked where this cheese is made as well as kashrut information, and haven’t yet received an answer. Perhaps you may be able to go to their store, Jon, as they are in Brooklyn as well, and check this out. If you do, please let the rest of us know where it is made, kashrut info, and of course taste and quality info.
Kosher organic cheese
There is one source of mild kosher organic cheddar from Wisconsin. I believe the company is cedar grove. They only deal in bulk — 4 pounds per shipment.
There is a mild kosher organic cheddar from New Zealand supervised by the OK. I have seen blocks in Whole Foods. I do not know if they do mail order.
Dave