Cheese

Besides, for sheer flavor and variety, there are so many GOOD ones to choose from, why bother even thinking about anything less than organic?

Remember, grass-fed is the keyword for all dairy. Whether it can be classified as organic is not as important as how the milk was produced, and how the cows were fed while producing the milk.

You definitely want milk that is free from BgH (Bovine Growth Hormone) as well as antibiotics. Responsible dairy farmers remove sick cows from production, so there is really no issue for them about whether or not to use antibiotics. Sick cows get medicine, and stay out of the milk production cycle until they are entirely well again.

You also want to know that the cows range over grassy pastures rather than stand around all day in stanchions in a barn; this makes for a healthy cow, that will produce outstanding milk.

And why should you care about that? Well, you are going to be eating the product, that's why!

Make sure what you know where what you eat comes from -- including how it was grown and prepared. That's really the bottom line.

Now, if you love flavor and texture in your food, then you will LOVE some of the great chees producers we've discovered for you.

As we find more great cheesemakers (and to be honest, a lot of them are "off the beaten path" so to speak) the list will grow -- so please bookmark the page, and come back and visit often to see what's new.

Ready for some awesome finds? Here you go:

Tonjes Farm Dairy

188 Tonjes Road

Callicoon, NY 12723

(845)482-5971

Try their Rambler (my favorite) or Caerphilly! Outstanding!

Sprout Creek Farm

Creamery and Market

34 Lauer Road

Poughkeepsie, NY

(845) 485-9885

Artisanal farm cheeses using original recipes with traditional methods.

Also available: goat cheese; grass-fed lamb, beef and pork; free-range eggs; local maple syrup; wool from our rare sheep breeds; Sprout Creek Farm honey; seasonal produce and jams. (Try the Ouray -- I love it crumbled over a plate of scrambled eggs, or with a piece of sweet summer fruit.)

Enjoy your cheese with plenty of great organic gourmet and artisanal breads, soups, vegetables, and eggs.

Or, like me, take a thin slice for dessert with a piece of organic fruit and tea.

Bon appetit!