Minerva Cheese Factory, Amish Gourmet, has been established since 1935. From the beginning we have maintained a pledge to make a natural wholesome product. We maintain a high standard of quality by demanding that same high quality from all ingredients in our products. That is why you can be confident when eating our products- they are the way nature intended.

Minerva Cheese Factory asks all of our milk producers (farmers) to not use RBGH hormones in their milk. The farmers in this area feel that the hormones shorten the milking life of the cow. This hormone is used to raise volume of milk produced by the cow but it does not increase the fat or protein content of the milk. Cheese & butter making yields are based on the amount of fat & protein, the more fat & protein the more product. Farmers who sell their milk to us do not see a benefit in using the hormones which raises volume production but not fat & protein, because Minerva Cheese Factory pays by the amount of fat and protein present. However at the present time there is no test that can guarantee 100% the detection of hormones in milk.

All milk received here and everywhere in the state of Ohio is tested for antibiotics. By law we are not allowed to take in milk that has antibiotics present. If it is present the milk is disposed.

None of our producers buy their cows from livestock auctions. Most of the cows are raised from cows that are born on the farm or bought or born from other farm herds. The cows are typically free range during the spring when there is sufficient grass for the cows to feed on. Other times of the year, when grass isn’t plentiful, grain, wheat and hay are added to their diet to keep them well fed

We do not knowingly accept milk that contains hormones, but our producers are not certified organic. In order to become organic, our building and all of our farms must be certified by the Organic Board and maintained. This is very time consuming. We were organic in the 80’s, but the extra price we had to place on organic cheese (to cover the cost) made the consumers market smaller for people willing to pay the price.

We take great pride in our products and we feel we have a clean group of producers, and are confident that a fine quality of milk goes into our cheese and butter making.

Say Cheese,

The Minerva Cheese Family