There’s a new kosher cheese in town.
Several varieties from Joseph Gallo Farms have received certification from OK Kosher Certification in Brooklyn, and now bear the Circle K logo.
Joseph Gallo Farms is located in Atwater, 30 miles south of Modesto.
“We have always been proud of the quality of our cheeses,” Michael D. Gallo, CEO of Joseph Gallo Farms, said in a statement.
“The kosher designation provides our customers with additional assurance of the quality and purity of our products.”
Joseph Gallo Farms, whose cheese is marketed under the “Joseph Farms” label, is the first and longest-standing cheese producer in the country to be granted government approval to label its products with “No Artificial Hormones.” The cheese is also vegetarian, made using microbial rather than animal rennet (which also helps in the kashrut department).
“The kosher designation is very important to traditional Jewish consumers,” said Gallo. “But it also indicates that our cheeses meet the dietary restrictions of certain other groups.
“As consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with the quality and purity of the foods they eat, we believe the Circle K kosher designation will be of value to a broad range of consumers.”
Two rabbis share the duties of overseeing all aspects of cheese production and packaging. Currently the cheese is considered “chalav stam,” which means that the milking of the cows was not supervised by a rabbi but can be considered kosher anyway.
Joseph Farms’ chief operating officer, Carl Morris, said the farm is looking into getting certification as “chalav Yisrael,” for which a rabbi will have to be present at the milking.
Varieties of kosher cheese from Joseph Farms include Monterey Jack, mild, medium and sharp cheddar, colby, mozzarella blocks, marble cheddar, marble jack, and pepper jack. Mozzarella balls and muenster cheese are coming soon.
Joseph Gallo Farms is a family-owned dairy- and cheese-producing enterprise.
While Joseph Gallo used to grow grapes and was involved in the Gallo winery, he turned to dairy full-time in 2001. The dairy farm was founded in 1979.