Chorlton Cheesemongers

Winner of the Manchester Food and Drink Retailer of the Year award. They were also voted by industry and customers as 1-of-20 most inspirational cheese retailers in the UK and named as Speciality Food Magazine’s ‘Eco Warrior’.

Located on Wilbraham Road in South Manchester, Chorlton Cheesemongers focus on sourcing their product in a different way than most.

‘Single Origin Milk’

Chorlton Cheesemongers prioritise cheese made from single-source milk to help guarantee quality and traceability. This is a new term, but before the first World War, this was the dominant way of making cheese. Before the First World War, there were over 3500 ‘farmhouse’ cheese makers, a more traditional term for single origin. Only 100 cheesemakers were still making cheese by the end of the Second World War. Chorlton Cheesemongers only work with non-industrial farms and small producers that care about their natural environment. This means small grass-fed herds, low impacts traditional farming, and cheeses that are handmade slowly.

Chris, the Manager of Chorlton Cheesemongers, explains how traditional methods of making cheese are often ‘traditional’ in a post-War context. These methods of cheese production were regulated as a result of rationing after the war and often prioritised efficiency of production and output above other criteria. The market context of that time also made it difficult for single origin cheesemakers to survive. 

Chorlton Cheesemongers find it important to prioritise both the craft of cheese making as well as sustainability. Due to the often smaller-scale production of single origin milk cheese, these farms have greater flexibility to implement greener farming techniques.

Fen Farm Dairy

Fen Farm Dairy, located in Suffolk, produce Baron Bigod Brie. This farm was highlighted by Chorlton Cheesemongers as a farm that is doing great things in sustainability – they are on a mission to be ‘greenhouse negative’. Some of the projects that have been implemented are solar power, a cow poo-powered heat exchanger, farming to reduce fuel consumption and retro-fitting tractors, along with reducing food miles and restoring soil health. Click here for more info on the farm.

Sustainability

Chorlton Cheesemongers' sourcing speaks to their understanding of sustainability. They work with farms that are conscious of their impact and want to limit the negative effects of production, while still providing a unique product. In the store it is clear that there is an ethos of minimal impact as seen in limited packaging, using Chorlton Bike Deliveries, efficient chiller units, and offering reusable bottles for milk with many more projects on the horizon such as implementing solar panels.

One of the main impacts of the shop is in the interactions with people and customers. Chirs, explains that he is aware that this impact depends on the person that comes into the store. But, explaining where this food comes from and why small-scale production and green farming methods are important is significant. Everyone can do their part to change the current system of food production.

Sustainable Business Code

The Manchester Food Board have set up a voluntary code that focuses on a holistic understanding of sustainability. Criteria such as employee pay and workers' rights in the supply chain are considered alongside more traditional criteria of sustainability such as reducing emissions through reducing food waste.

To learn more about the code and what businesses have signed up, click through to see the MFB website.