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🧀 Where to Find the Best Artisan Cheese in America
Discover the top artisan cheese regions and creameries redefining American cheese culture—from Vermont to California and beyond.
Last Updated on August 23, 2025 by Daily News Staff
large full fat cheese slice
Not All Cheese Is Created Equal — Discover the U.S. Regions Making Cheese Worth Traveling For
When it comes to cheese, America often gets a bad rap—especially from international visitors used to shelves full of regional specialties and raw milk delicacies. Mass-produced slices and fluorescent shreds may dominate supermarket aisles, but beyond the plastic wrap lies a thriving world of artisan cheesemakers producing some of the finest cheese in the world.
Whether you’re a Euro expat feeling homesick for good camembert or a local foodie ready to explore beyond cheddar blocks, here’s your guide to America’s best cheese-producing regions and the creameries putting U.S. cheese on the global map.
Artisan Cheese Map of America
🟩 Northeast: Home of Heritage and Innovation
Vermont and New York are leading the charge in high-quality, farmstead cheeses. These producers emphasize small herds, raw milk, and European-inspired aging techniques.
Jasper Hill Farm (VT) – Aged in their own underground cellars, cheeses like Harbison and Bayley Hazen Blue have won international awards. Consider Bardwell Farm (VT/NY) – One of the oldest cheesemaking sites in the region, known for Dorset and Pawlet, both raw milk marvels. Nettle Meadow (NY) – Makers of Kunik, a decadent triple-cream goat and cow blend that’s pure bliss.
🟨 Midwest: America’s Original Cheese Country
Wisconsin earns its title as “America’s Dairyland,” but there’s much more than curds and cheddar here.
Uplands Cheese (WI) – Their Pleasant Ridge Reserve has been named the best cheese in America multiple times. Hook’s Cheese (WI) – Known for their sharp aged cheddars—some matured for over 15 years. Roth Cheese (WI) – Blending European tradition with American craftsmanship.
🟦 West Coast: Cheese with a Creative Spirit
From lush coasts to wine country, California and Oregon boast cheeses as fresh and bold as their surroundings.
Cowgirl Creamery (CA) – A pioneer in organic cheese, their Mt. Tam and Red Hawk are favorites in wine country. Point Reyes Farmstead (CA) – Their Original Blue is a creamy, complex blue cheese that pairs beautifully with fruit and wine. Rogue Creamery (OR) – Makers of Rogue River Blue, the first American cheese to win “Best Cheese in the World.”
🟧 The South: A New Frontier in Farmstead Cheese
You might not expect to find world-class cheese in Georgia or North Carolina, but Southern creameries are proving otherwise.
Sweet Grass Dairy (GA) – Farmstead cheeses from grass-fed cows. Green Hill is a Southern take on camembert. Boxcarr Handmade Cheese (NC) – Italian-style cheeses like Cottonbell and Rocket’s Robiola. Mozzarella Company (TX) – Fresh, handmade mozzarellas and seasonal specialties.
🟪 Southwest & Rockies: Earthy, Bold, and Unique
Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona offer high-desert cheeses shaped by elevation and heritage.
Beehive Cheese (UT) – Known for Barely Buzzed, a cheddar rubbed with espresso and lavender. Haystack Mountain (CO) – Small-batch goat cheese with personality. Mesa Top Farm (NM) – Sustainable, local, and full of character.
🧭 How to Explore Artisan Cheese in the U.S.
Whether you’re traveling or staying local, here’s how to tap into this hidden world of American cheese:
✅ Visit Farmers’ Markets – Ask vendors about local dairy farms.
✅ Explore Regional Cheese Trails – Vermont, California, Wisconsin, and Oregon all have mapped-out routes.
✅ Buy Direct Online – Many artisan creameries ship nationwide.
✅ Look for “Farmstead” Labels – This means the cheese was made where the animals were raised.
✅ Use American Cheese Society’s Directory – A trusted source for discovering producers.
Final Bite: American Cheese, Reinvented
Forget what you know about “American cheese.” From the forests of Vermont to the valleys of California, a new generation of cheesemakers is redefining what domestic cheese can be: bold, complex, sustainable, and just as crave-worthy as anything from Europe.
The next time someone says, “The U.S. doesn’t do cheese,” just smile… and hand them a slice of Pleasant Ridge Reserve or Rogue River Blue.
For more on Artisan Cheese, check out Food and Drink!
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Last Updated on September 17, 2026 by Daily News Staff
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Paramount’s century-long connection to Hollywood could be facing one of its biggest challenges yet, as the entertainment giant reportedly prepares for the possibility of moving major operations out of California amid an escalating legal battle over its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Paramount has informed the offices of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Attorney General Rob Bonta that it is prepared to formally announce plans to leave California, according to reporting Wednesday from TheWrap. Paramount has not formally announced a relocation, and a company spokesperson declined to comment to the publication.
The potential move centers on Paramount Skydance’s proposed approximately $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal being challenged on antitrust grounds by California and a coalition of 11 other states, along with a separate challenge from the Writers Guild of America. California Attorney General Rob Bonta argues that combining the two entertainment companies could reduce competition, potentially leading to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers.
A court agreement currently prevents Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery from completing the merger until June 1, 2027, or until after a court decision on the states’ claims, whichever comes first. The antitrust case is scheduled for trial in March 2027.
Paramount’s Hollywood Future
At the center of the controversy is Paramount’s historic studio complex at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, one of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable properties.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Paramount CEO David Ellison has told associates that he would prefer to remain in Los Angeles. However, Paramount’s board has reportedly approved a contingency plan that could move the company’s headquarters out of Hollywood, and Ellison has indicated that the company is prepared to sell its historic studio properties and relocate operations if the merger remains stalled.
Tennessee, Texas and Georgia have emerged in reports as potential destinations should Paramount ultimately decide to relocate.
The financial pressure is significant. Beginning October 1, Paramount faces a roughly $7 million-per-day additional payment obligation tied to delays in completing the Warner Bros. Discovery transaction. Paramount has asked the federal court to require the states and the Writers Guild of America to post a $1.88 billion bond to cover potential costs associated with the delay.
What’s at Stake for Los Angeles?
A Paramount departure could extend far beyond the loss of a famous Hollywood address.
An economic analysis cited by TheWrap estimates that a large-scale Paramount departure could put as many as 57,980 full-time jobs, $21.2 billion in annual economic output and approximately $1.17 billion in state and local tax revenue at risk. Those figures represent an economic-impact scenario rather than a prediction that all of those losses would necessarily occur.
There are competing concerns about the merger itself. Los Angeles County analysis has estimated that completing the Paramount-Warner Bros. combination could also eliminate thousands of entertainment and related jobs because of consolidation. Opponents of the merger, including entertainment unions, have raised concerns about reduced competition and employment, while supporters argue that reaching a settlement could help prevent Paramount from moving operations out of California.
Mayor Bass has said she remains focused on protecting Los Angeles entertainment jobs and keeping Hollywood’s entertainment industry centered in the city. Bonta’s office, meanwhile, has maintained that California will continue enforcing its antitrust laws while remaining open to good-faith discussions. There is still an opportunity for the dispute to be resolved before Paramount makes a final decision about its California operations. Paramount Skydance and representatives for California Attorney General Rob Bonta are scheduled to participate in court-ordered settlement talks on October 14 and 15. The discussions could potentially resolve the antitrust dispute and clear a path for Paramount’s proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. For now, Paramount has made no official announcement that it is leaving California. The company declined to comment on reports Wednesday that it was preparing to announce a departure. That leaves the future of Paramount’s Hollywood operations — including its historic Melrose Avenue studio — uncertain as the legal and financial pressure surrounding the merger continues to build. Settlement Talks Scheduled
For now, the gates at Paramount remain firmly planted on Melrose Avenue.
Settlement Talks Scheduled
There is still an opportunity for the dispute to be resolved before Paramount makes a final decision about its California operations.
Paramount Skydance and representatives for California Attorney General Rob Bonta are scheduled to participate in court-ordered settlement talks on October 14 and 15. The discussions could potentially resolve the antitrust dispute and clear a path for Paramount’s proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.
For now, Paramount has made no official announcement that it is leaving California. The company declined to comment on reports Wednesday that it was preparing to announce a departure.
That leaves the future of Paramount’s Hollywood operations — including its historic Melrose Avenue studio — uncertain as the legal and financial pressure surrounding the merger continues to build.uilding around the Warner Bros. Discovery deal, the question of whether one of Hollywood’s most historic studios will continue calling California home has moved from speculation to a potentially consequential decision for Los Angeles and its entertainment industry.
STM Daily News will continue monitoring the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery dispute and what it could mean for Hollywood, entertainment workers and the future of film and television production in California.
Source and Related Reading
- California Attorney General — Agreement Halting Paramount/Warner Bros. Merger — Primary source explaining the states’ antitrust challenge and agreement delaying completion of the merger.
- Los Angeles Times — Paramount and Bonta Ordered Into Settlement Talks — Reports the October 14–15 settlement meetings and current state of the dispute.
- Los Angeles Times — Paramount’s Possible Hollywood Exit — Detailed reporting on the relocation contingency, potential destinations and implications for Los Angeles.
- Reuters — DOJ Backs Bond Demand in Paramount-Warner Fight — Covers the $1.88 billion bond dispute, $7 million daily fee and March trial.
- TheWrap — Paramount Preps California Exit — Reports the latest developments surrounding Paramount’s potential departure.
Community
Veggies for Veterans Distributes 600 Produce Bags at Phoenix VA
Volunteers distributed 600 bags of fresh produce in less than an hour during the latest Veggies for Veterans event at the Phoenix VA Medical Center. Santander participated for the first time, while Peddler’s Son donated watermelons.
Last Updated on September 17, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Santander made its first appearance alongside volunteers and partners supporting the fresh-food distribution.
PHOENIX — Volunteers distributed 600 bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to veterans in less than an hour during the September 10 Veggies for Veterans event at the Phoenix VA Medical Center.
Hosted by Diana Gregory Outreach Services, the event brought volunteers together in an assembly line to pack grocery bags and distribute them to waiting veterans. Participating volunteer groups and partners included SRP, State Farm, Fry’s, Legacy and Santander. This marked Santander’s first appearance at a Veggies for Veterans event.
“It’s been almost a decade since we’ve been doing Veggies for Veterans,” Diana Gregory said. “We want to thank all the volunteers, our partners and everyone who makes this possible.”
Veterans received an additional seasonal treat during the distribution. Peddler’s Son donated watermelons for the event, providing a bonus item alongside the bags of produce.
Dr. Isabel Kozak, a partner in the outreach effort, said the fresh food can be especially meaningful for veterans managing chronic health conditions.
“We distributed 600 bags to veterans today, and I heard many, many heartfelt thank-yous,” Dr. Kozak said. “We have veterans who have hypertension and diabetes, and I think it’s really important that we provide this very nutritious food.”
The strong early turnout kept volunteers busy as veterans moved through the indoor distribution area and the outdoor setup near the medical center’s main entrance. Gregory praised the teamwork that allowed all 600 bags to be handed out in under an hour.
Diana Gregory Outreach Services plans to hold two more community events before the end of 2026. One will be another Veggies for Veterans distribution in November, featuring more fresh fruits and vegetables.
The organization’s continuing work supports its broader mission of uplifting veterans and seniors throughout the Phoenix community.
To learn more about Veggies for Veterans, upcoming community events, volunteer opportunities or ways to support Diana Gregory Outreach Services, visit DianaGregory.com.
Reporting and video production by STM Daily News and TNC Network, LLC.
The phrase “There’s only one race: human” is simple, hopeful and deeply appealing. It reminds us that beneath differences in skin color, ancestry, nationality and culture, we are members of the same human family.
We share the same basic needs. We want safety, dignity, opportunity, love and a better future for the people we care about. No racial category makes one person more human—or more deserving of respect—than another.
At its best, the phrase rejects the false idea that humanity is divided into separate biological races with different levels of intelligence, character or worth. Those beliefs have been used throughout history to justify slavery, segregation, colonialism and discrimination. Saying that there is only one human race can therefore be a powerful declaration of equality.
But the meaning of the phrase depends on how we use it.
Shared Humanity Does Not Mean Identical Experiences
Although race does not separate people into distinct biological types, racial categories still carry enormous social power. They have shaped laws, neighborhoods, schools, employment, policing, health care and access to wealth. Their consequences do not disappear simply because we say that everyone is human.
That is why “There’s only one race: human” should never become another way of saying, “I don’t see color,” when someone is describing racism or inequality.
Ignoring race does not automatically end racism. In some situations, it can prevent us from recognizing it.
If one group repeatedly encounters barriers that others do not, acknowledging those differences is not an attempt to divide people. It is part of understanding the problem honestly. We cannot repair an injustice that we refuse to see.
Our Differences Are Not the Problem
Human unity does not require sameness. Our cultural identities, traditions, histories and communities are not obstacles that must be erased before we can respect one another.
There is nothing contradictory about celebrating Black history, Latino heritage, Indigenous traditions, Asian American experiences or the many cultures that contribute to our society while also believing in our common humanity.
The problem is not that people have differences. The problem begins when those differences are assigned a hierarchy—when one identity is treated as the standard and another as inferior, threatening or less deserving.
Real unity allows people to bring their complete identities into the room. It does not demand that they leave their histories at the door.
A Statement That Should Lead to Action
If we truly believe there is only one human race, that belief should influence how we treat people. It should lead us to oppose discrimination even when we are not its target. It should make us question stereotypes, listen to experiences different from our own and defend the dignity of people whose backgrounds we may not fully understand.
Shared humanity is more than a comforting slogan. It is a responsibility.
It asks us to recognize that another person’s pain matters, even when it is unfamiliar to us. It reminds us that no community is disposable and that injustice against one group ultimately damages the society we all share.
One Human Family, Many Human Stories
To me, “There’s only one race: human” is most meaningful when it brings two truths together: we are fundamentally equal, and we do not all experience the world in the same way.
We can affirm that there is one human family without pretending racism has disappeared. We can value what connects us without erasing what makes our communities distinct. We can pursue unity while still confronting the inequalities that stand in its way.
Perhaps the fullest version of the message is this:
We are one human family. Our differences deserve respect, our histories deserve acknowledgment, and every person deserves equal dignity.
That is not merely an ideal. It is a standard by which we can judge our choices, our institutions and the kind of world we are building together.
What does the phrase “There’s only one race: human” mean to you? Share your perspective in the comments.
Sources and Related Links
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights — United Nations
Establishes that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. - What Are Human Rights? — United Nations Human Rights Office
Explains universal human rights and freedom from discrimination. - Using Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Research — National Academies
Examines why race should not be treated as a substitute for human genetic variation. - AAPA Statement on the Biological Aspects of Race — American Association of Biological Anthropologists
Discusses the scientific evidence concerning race, human biological variation and institutional discrimination. - Race and Ethnicity — American Anthropological Association
An educational examination of race as a social classification and ethnicity as a cultural identity. - Talking About Race — Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Resources for understanding racism, racial identity and their effects on society. - Race: Are We So Different? — Smithsonian Institution
Explores race and racism through biological, cultural and historical perspectives.
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