Maytag Dairy Farms
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Maytag Dairy Farms is a blue cheese manufacturer based in Newton, Iowa. It is known for its product Maytag Blue cheese.
History
The business dates back to 1919, when Elmer Henry Maytag purchased a single cow to provide milk for his family.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He soon began to develop a small herd of Holstein-Friesian cows that would supply milk to his community. He won a number of blue ribbons at livestock shows across the United States. The offspring from his herd began to attract buyers from around the world.
Upon Elmer Henry Maytag's death in 1940, his sons, Frederick Louis Maytag II and Robert Maytag took over the farm. Frederick became President of the Maytag Appliance Corporation after his father died.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The brothers established Maytag Dairy Farms in 1941. The company pursued his idea of creating an American blue cheese made from cow's milk. Fred collaborated with Iowa State University dairy researchers to produce a blue cheese. The first wheels of Maytag Blue Cheese were formed in October 1941. The milk from Maytag's Iowa Holsteins results in a cheese whose flavor resembles that of European blue cheeses.<ref name="Eller"/> The cheese was advertised and sold via a paper catalog.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In addition to their blue cheese, Maytag Dairy Farms also produces white cheddar and cheese spreads for their catalog business.
Fred's son, Fritz Maytag, assumed leadership in 1962 and led the small company for the next 50 years. Fritz then served as chairman emeritus and as a director of the company.Template:Cn
Maytag Dairy Farms was family-owned until 2019, when Midwest Growth Partners, a private equity fund manager, acquired it.<ref name=":0" /> In July 2022, AgCertain Industries purchased Maytag Dairy farms from Midwest Growth Partners.<ref name="Eller">Template:Cite news</ref>
Production
The cheese is made by hand in a small cheese plant, which was constructed in E.H.’s milking barn. The company uses fresh milk from neighboring dairy farmers. Its hand-formed wheels are aged for approximately six months.Template:Cn
See also
References
External links
- Maytag Dairy Farms
- Little Big Cheese: Maytag's Growing Niche Market, story on NPR (January 4, 2005)
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