Support local cheese makers for National Cheese Month

Many Americans have been brought up eating foods out of season throughout the year. While the concept of seasonality is familiar to many, the idea of only having access to certain foods at specific times of the year might seem outlandish – if not offensive – to many of us. Like farm produce, there are times of the year when certain cheeses are at their peak too! Factors such as the animals’ diet, breeding, lactation cycles, and the weather all influence which cheeses are produced and when. Fortunately, Philadelphia is close to many dairy farms and creameries in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There are also many cheese experts in the city that can help you pick artisanal cheeses that are in season and support local farms and small business owners.  

Buy local and avoid high prices on foreign cheeses! Better yet, go visit one of the surrounding farms in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. No car? Go to your local farmers’ market where many of these farms sell their products or visit a small business in the city and ask the cheesemonger what local cheeses they’re excited about this season.  

Philadelphia & Chester County 

Birchrun Hills Farm 
1020 Davis Lane, Chester Springs, PA 19425 
This mother-son team specializes in raw milk artisanal cheeses like their award winning Birchrun Blue, Red Cat, and Equinox. These rich, bold, and beautifully crafted cheeses are aged in their on-site underground aging facility, allowing for unique flavor development which represents this farm’s terroir. Birchrun Hills fosters strong connections with the local community by hosting events such as Happy Hour every Friday from 4-8pm, featuring local winemaker, Le Garage Winery and baguettes and pretzels from Brandy Wine Valley Bread! 

Perrystead Dairy 
1639 N Hancock St Ste 103, Philadelphia, PA 19122 
As Philadelphia’s first urban creamery, this cheesemaker is known for blending French techniques with Philly creativity, resulting in unique offerings like, “The Real Philly Schmear”, a tangy spreadable whole milk cheese and the “Intergalactic”, which placed second in the 2024 World Cheese Awards!  Pick up some cheese from their famous cheese vending machine, then make your way to Pray Tell Wines, a local boutique urban winery and tasting room crafted by South Philadelphia native, Tom Caruso. 

Philadelphia Cheese School 
701 S. 9^th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 
Although she doesn’t sell cheese directly, Julia Fox-Birnbaum offers BYOB classes which encourage people to explore their palates, ask questions and enjoy delicious cheeses and accompaniments in a fun and inclusive environment. Additionally, the Philadelphia Cheese School and Third Wheel Cheese Co. have teamed up to create a monthly Cheese Club to deliver curated selections of small-batch, local, and regional cheeses right to your door.  

Third Wheel Cheese Co. 
707 S 50th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143 
A charming cut-to-order cheese shop in West Philadelphia whose mission is to support regional dairy farmers and bring handcrafted cheeses directly to consumers. Whether you’re a seasoned cheese connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Third Wheel Cheese Co. offers consumers a lovely journey through the rich flavors of the Northeast’s dairy offerings! 

Shellbark Hollow Farm 
942 Cornwallis Dr, West Chester, PA 19380 
A tiny but mighty goat farm famous for fresh chèvre, nutty aged cheeses, and goat milk fudge. They make more than twenty varieties of goat milk cheeses as well as a wide assortment of goat milk products. If you can’t make it out to West Chester, you can also find their products in your local Whole Foods and Rittenhouse Farm Markets.  

Bucks County & New Jersey 

Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse 
369 Stamets Rd, Milford, NJ 08848 
With their Snail of Approval, this sustainable farm is committed to regenerative agriculture, animal welfare, and traditional food production methods. Their raw cow’s milk cheeses reflect the seasonality and terroir of their pastures. Pair your cheese with a loaf of their rustic woodfired bread or a pastry from their Bakehouse. Visitors can also enjoy farm tours, cheesemaking and bread baking classes, and seasonal events like concerts on the farmhouse lawn! 

Cherry Grove Farm 
3200 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 
Offering a variety of raw-milk and pasteurized small batch cheeses, the cheeses from this regenerative farm reflect the unique seasonal flavors of the region. Beyond cheesemaking, visitors can also explore the on-site farm store featuring a range of products from their own offerings to products made from local artisans. They also offer cheesemaking workshops, seasonal foraging sessions, and even the occasional “Cow Yoga”!  

Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy 
100 Dennisville-Petersburg Rd, Petersburg, NJ 08270 
As you make your way down to the shore this summer, stop by this charming sheep farm producing luscious small-batch feta, sheep milk yogurt, and frozen treats! Beyond the dairy offerings, Misty Meadow also provides interactive farm experiences where visitors can assist in bottle feeding and caring for the lambs.  

Lancaster & Berks County (all slightly more than an hour from Philadelphia) 

Dutch Meadows Farm 
694 Country Lane, Paradise, PA 17562 
While you’re out exploring Amish country, stop by this Amish family farm committed to sustainability and organic practices. In collaboration with other small sustainable family farms, they deliver some of the creamiest and most wholesome dairy products and meat from grass-fed animals you’ll ever taste. Make some room in your fridge and be sure to bring a cooler because you’re going to want to stock up while you’re there! 

September Farm Cheese 
5287 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA 19344 
What started out as a passion project in Dave Rotelle’s kitchen has turned into a serious family affair. This famous farmhouse country market and creamery is known for their variety of cheeses, handcrafted from their herd of Holstein cows. At their country store, visitors can choose from a huge selection of handmade cheeses, amazing grilled cheese sandwiches on homemade bread, and fresh-baked pies.  

Valley Milkhouse 
92 Covered Bridge Rd, Oley, PA 19547 
This charming woman-run artisan creamery specializes in French- and Dutch-inspired cheeses using traditional European methods. With a focus on seasonal cheesemaking, each batch highlights the unique qualities of the milk, sourced from Meadow Jerseys’ A2A2 Jersey cows.  This milk is known for its potential health benefits and easier digestibility for those with lactose intolerance. If you’re in the city, you can also find their cheeses at Third Wheel Cheese Co. and at the Clark Park and Fairmount farmers’ markets.

Slow Cheese Festival in Bra, Italy 

Are you a cheese head and wander lusting about your next trip? Check out the Slow Cheese Festival from September 19-22, 2025 in Bra, Italy! Considered the Burning Man of Cheese, this biennial celebration is where real dairy divas shine. For four glorious days, this tiny Piedmont town transforms into a storybook setting, celebrating the age-old bond between artisans and their wheels of cheese. Picture yourself meandering through cobbled Italian streets lined with cheesemakers showcasing rare, nearly extinct cheese varieties alongside beloved classics from every corner of the globe. And it’s not only about the cheese – in Bra, natural wine flows like gossip at a family reunion.  You’ll arrive hungry and leave blissfully drunk on funk and weeping over a wedge so good it should be illegal. 

Ready to get cheesy in Italy? Check out more information at  https://www.slowfood.com/events/cheese-worlds-largest-event-dedicated-to-raw-milk-cheese/