Cabot, Vt. (March 23, 2007)– Despite the blanket of snow in the surrounding hills, Cabot Creamery’s cheese makers have more of a spring in their step as their cooperative’s prized cheddar captured awards both at home and abroad. Within the same week, Cabot earned acclaim for its oldest cheddar as well as its reduced fat cheddar in the cheese industry’s version of March Madness.

“Almost concurrently, entries of Cabot cheese from Vermont were being judged to the west at the U. S. Championship Cheese Contest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and to the east at the World Cheese Awards in London, England,” noted Richard Stammer, president of Cabot Creamery. “We are very proud that Cabot was a double medal winner at each event.”

At the World Cheese Awards, Cabot Vintage Choice Cheddar and Cabot Old School 5 Year Old Cheddar were knighted with silver medals, the highest cheddar awards won by a creamery from outside the United Kingdom. Nearly 2,000 entries were submitted for a grueling, four-stage process of judging by a panel of 120 cheese specialists. Cabot earned its awards in the “Vintage Cheddar” category for cheddar made in a creamery and aged over one and a half years.

Meanwhile, the 14th biennial U.S. Championship Cheese Contest saw Cabot Jalapeño 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar earn bragging rights as “America’s Best Reduced Fat Cheddar.” In the “Best Reduced Fat/Low Fat Cheese” category that included all varieties of cheese, Cabot scored 99.20 out of a possible 100 points, the best result for any cheddar in the class. Cabot also won a 1st place blue ribbon for a Cabot Cheddar entered in the “Cheddar, Medium” class. Overall, a record 1,158 cheese and butter entries from 26 states battled for the admiration of 16 expert dairy judges, who assessed each entry on flavor, appearance, texture and other qualities.

Award-winning Cabot Jalapeño 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar, Cabot Vintage Choice Cheddar and Cabot’s entire line of specialty products are available at select supermarkets, super centers and cheese shops nationwide. Cabot Old School Cheddar is a limited inventory item available only through Cabot’s Mail Order (1-800-639-3198) and Online Store ( www.shopcabot.com).

Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919 and is best known as makers of “The World’s Best Cheddar,” as honored twice now at World Championship Cheese Contests. Cabot is owned by the dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast’s premier dairy cooperative. Agri-Mark and its farmers also own the McCadam brand of New York dairy products, winner of the “U. S. Champion” title for McCadam Extra Sharp.

Visit the following sites for additional information on:

Cabot Creamery Cooperative: www.cabotcheese.coop
2007 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest: www.wischeesemakersassn.org
2007 World Cheese Awards: www.finefoodworld.co.uk
McCadam Cheese: www.mccadamcheese.com

Please see the list below of 2007 World Cheese Awards and 2007 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest results for Cabot Creamery.

Best Vintage Cheddar                      

Silver Medal: Cabot Vintage Choice Cheddar

Product Class:  Vintage Cheddar made in a creamery before 10/31/2005

Silver Medal: Cabot Old School 5 Year Old Cheddar

Product Class:  Vintage Cheddar made in a creamery before 10/31/2005