We don’t mean to brag, but Vancouver Island is home to some of the world’s best locally produced cheeses.
And in the spirit of celebrating the wonderful array of dairy delights our Island has to offer, we’re partnering with the BC Dairy Association on a massive giveaway of some of our favourites, and supporting Food Banks BC in the process – contest details are below!
One name you’ve probably spotted while perusing your local grocer’s cheese display is Natural Pastures, and there’s a good reason why; the renowned cheese company has won awards for their delicious collection of products, which use only the finest ingredients the Island has to offer.
From fan-favourites like their buttery Comox Brie to more exotic flavours like Pacific Pepper Verdelait made with local Paper Lantern habañero peppers, there’s something for even the pickiest of cheese connoisseurs.
Whether you use their palate-pleasing creations in your appetizers, mixed in your favourite soups or entrees, or to create a unique, decadent dessert, the possibilities are endless.
In 2001, British Columbia Heritage Dairy Farm founded Natural Pastures Cheese Company.
Just one year later, the small, artisan cheese company was joined by Swiss Master Cheesemaker, Paul Sutter, and things took off from there.
Natural Pastures prides themselves on using the most fresh, wholesome milk of Island cows and water buffalo to make their traditional and inspire cheeses.
With almost 20 unique cheeses under their belt, the hardest part is choosing your favourites – but we’re absolutely up for the task of sampling them all to find out!
The prize packs we’re giving away are full of 6 delectable flavours of Natural Pastures cheese, including:
- Comox Brie
- The famous Comox Brie exemplifies the traditional, gentle flavour of a superb, bloomy rind cheese. Slight buttery taste and a delightful, creamy texture. Award: Gold Medal 2008, 3rd 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest
- Aged Farmhouse
- National Champion Boerenkaas, when aged, transforms into our Aged Farmhouse with a slightly granular texture loaded with rich, bold flavour. Delicious, unique terroir of the Comox Valley leaves a lingering sweetness on the tongue.
- Boerenkaas
- Dutch for ‘Farmer’s Cheese,’ award-winning Boerenkaas has a sweet nutty flavour and bold, tangy finish. Superb in soups, salads, omelettes and pizzas.
- Courtenay Cheddar
- A traditional medium cheddar full of flavour with the ocean influenced terroir of Vancouver Island
- Garlic & Chives Verdelait
- World Championship Silver Medalist with a bold, flavourful blend of garlic and chives.
- Pacific Wildfire Verdelait
- A robust combination of black pepper and habeneros lovingly smoked with Comox Valley hardwoods.
Even better than this, the BC Dairy Association will also donate $1 for every contest entry to Food Banks BC up to $20,000.
Since this April of this year, BC dairy farmers have made a concerted effort to support communities in need as a result of COVID-19.
To-date, contributions have included a $175,000 in donations directly to Food Banks BC, and dairy product donations totaling 40,000 liters of milk, 5200 kg of cheese, and 2700kg of butter.
BC Dairy Association is encouraging British Columbians to support their local community food businesses during the challenging times caused by COVID-19, as food-based businesses have been particularly hard-hit, and need the support of their communities more than ever.
In the coming weeks, we will highlight small dairy processors, cheese crafters, ice cream makers, and other local businesses that use BC dairy to make their products.
CONTEST
For a chance to WIN one of 25 cheese prize packs from Natural Pastures (a $60 value!), please head on over to our Instagram page to enter:
- LIKE the post on Instagram (1 entry)
- FOLLOW @BCMilk and @NaturalPasturesCheese (1 entry)
- COMMENT Below telling us who you’d share this prize pack with (1 entry for every comment)
- SHARE this in your IG Stories and tag @Victoria_Buzz (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on June 24th, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
Victoria Buzz / BC Dairy Contest Guidelines
Natural Pastures Cheese Company
- Where: Cheese Factory & Shop, 635 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay
- When: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
