Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative Launches Nationwide Cheese Awareness Campaign
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States by milk volume, has launched a virtual campaign to celebrate National Cheese Day on June 4. This campaign, initiated from their headquarters in Green Bay, Wisconsin, seeks to emphasize the economic and cultural impact of cheese manufacturing across the country.
In collaboration with commercial processor partners, Edge's campaign operates under the theme Powered by dairy. Driven by cheese. The initiative aims to increase consumer awareness through a grassroots, producer-centric narrative. It features stories from five prominent cooperative members spread across three agricultural states, including Heidi Fischer of Fischer-Clark Dairy and David Elliott of Drumgoon Dairy.
These producers share their experiences and dedication to producing high-quality raw milk, which is transformed into a diverse range of cheese products. This narrative highlights the integral role of cheese manufacturing in the wider rural economy.
According to Edge CEO Tim Trotter, the dairy sector in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa generates an estimated $85 billion in economic impact annually and supports nearly 192,000 regional jobs. These jobs are linked to primary farming operations, industrial dairy processing plants, and secondary service industries.
The campaign also seeks to bridge the gap between urban centers and processing facilities, with a focus on digital platforms to engage consumer demographics. Edge plans to expand the campaign's physical reach in future marketing cycles.
Additionally, the cooperative aims to use this initiative to strengthen its influence in legislative discussions, supporting policies that benefit domestic farms and enhance factory throughput. Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative continues to advocate for the interests of Midwestern livestock keepers, leveraging its significant milk volume to represent farmers in policy debates and retail negotiations.
