Nov. 8, 2004

Contact: Carolina Machado
Cal Poly Creamery
(805) 756-6644

Cal Poly Creamery, Dairy Students Gearing Up for Cheesy Holiday

student with cheese poster photoSAN LUIS OBISPO -- Students at the student-run Cal Poly Creamery are gearing up for another cheese-filled December.

"Last year during the holidays, we sold out with 600 gift packages. We didn't even have enough to sell in the supermarkets like we usually do. This year we're aiming to sell 1,000 gift packages," said Carolina Machado, a dairy science student and participant in the Creamery's Cal Poly Cheese enterprise project.

Currently all the cheeses available for December are aging in the creamery's cold room. Creamery enterprise students will be staying in San Luis Obispo after their finals and during winter break to package the cheese in response to orders, Machado said.

The Cal Poly Creamery has produced cheeses and other dairy products for the campus, community and alumni since 1903. Cal Poly Cheese makes an excellent holiday gift, Machado added. "It's Cal Poly Cheese - the gift that will please."

Cal Poly Creamery cheese is normally available year-round at functions in the San Luis Obispo area, including alumni functions and other on-campus events as well as off-campus events including wine tastings. Local and out-of-area residents can order Cal Poly cheese online at the
Creamery's Web site: www.calpolycheese.com.

For the holidays, students are offering seven varieties of cheese in a variety of gift package sizes and combinations. Cal Poly Creamery Cheese varieties are San Luis Lace, Reduced Fat Lace, Smoked Cheddar, Gouda, Smoked Gouda, Chipolte Jack, and Mustang Cheddar.

San Luis Lace is an artisan cheese developed by Cal Poly Creamery cheese makers. "San Luis Lace is a Swiss-style cheese, but it could not officially be called Swiss because the holes are too small," Machado explained.

All of the students involved are passionate about the whole process of producing and selling the cheese, Machado said. And all of the dairy products are natural and come from Cal Poly's own dairy cows, raised and milked by student herdsmen, she added.

It's hard work, Machado said, "But we have a really good time doing it."

For a listing of cheeses, gift packages and prices, or for information about ordering, please visit the Cal Poly Cheese Web site at www.calpolycheese.com or contact the students at (805) 756-6644 or creamery@calpoly.edu.

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