Product Spotlight: Cheeses from Lazy Lady Farm

By Patricia Kusumaningtyas

One thing that keeps me loyal to the Co-op is our extensive cheese section. We have one fridge dedicated solely to cheese and my adventurous taste buds are always down to explore the possibilities  there, whether it’s to complement a delicious meal or take center stage on one of my cheese boards. 

The newest additions to the Co-op’s cheese section come from Lazy Lady Farm in Westfield, Vermont. The farm was started in 1987 by Laini Fondiller. With its off-the-grid location, Fondiller had to start from the ground up with no electricity and no running water, relying on makeshift energy sources such as candles and car batteries. However, Fondiller’s story is proof that limitation indeed breeds innovation: with 17 solar panels, a wind generator, and a herd of 40 goats, Lazy Lady Farm produces 17 types of artisanal cheeses made with goat and/or cow’s milk and complemented with different spices. 

I had the chance to try two: Oh My Heart and The Thin Red Line. Oh My Heart is similar to brie and camembert: it is a soft, smooth cheese covered with an edible rind. The Thin Red Line is a smooth cheese similar to Oh My Heart, however, it has a sharper texture and is garnished with a middle layer of smoked paprika. I loved both of them so much that I added them as an accompaniment to the vegetarian mushroom Wellington I made the other day. Both cheeses leave a nice aftertaste.

Besides these two cheeses, there are several other cheeses from Lazy Lady Farm you can purchase from the Co-op. Just head to the cheese section and all your cheesy dreams will be fulfilled!