Wisconsin Cheese Making Waves in the Specialty Cheese Sector

Wisconsin cheese is proving itself as a powerhouse within the specialty cheese market, showing significant growth that surpasses the rest of the category. According to Michelle Trowbridge, Director of Retail Channel Marketing for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the state's specialty cheese sales increased more than four times faster than the rest of the market last year. With a rise in dollar sales by 6%, Wisconsin Cheese is not just enhancing the cheese aisle but boosting the quality perception of entire retail stores.

The "Proudly Wisconsin Cheese" badge serves as a beacon of quality, attracting consumers by promising a robust flavor profile and superior quality. Trowbridge notes that the badge is more than a marketing tool; it embodies a knowledge-driven, inspiring approach to storytelling that retailers can pass on to consumers, thereby enriching the shopping experience.

Sampling is another strategy Wisconsin cheese producers use effectively. Studies indicate that 85% of shoppers who try a sample purchase the cheese, thereby supporting impulse purchases. Additionally, the organization offers resources like the Cheese State University program to help retailers maintain well-informed staff, ensuring that stores can provide not just products but meaningful customer service as well.

The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin aim to transform specialty cheese departments into destinations that resonate quality, not only boosting cheese sales but uplifting the whole store's appeal. This initiative keeps Wisconsin's cheese industry at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in specialty cheese marketing.