Meredith Cheese finalists in the 2020 Australian Grand Dairy Awards
Meredith Dairy has long had a foothold in the Australian speciality cheese market but the distinctive jars are now finding their way into American supermarket trolleys.
FROM Victoria’s Golden Plains to California’s Golden Gate Bridge — the trajectory of Meredith Dairy has been as glittering as the lids on its goat cheese jars.
Social media has given sales of the Australian cafe favourite a boost in American sales in recent years — to the point where 20 per cent of Meredith’s output is bound for the US.
Owners Julie and Sandy Cameron have accumulated plenty of gongs for their cheese varieties in recent years and now two of their products are in the running for the Australian Grand Dairy Awards, to be revealed early in the new year.
“The best of Australian cheese is represented at the Grand Dairy Awards — you have to qualify through Royal Melbourne, or Sydney or Brisbane,” Ms Cameron said.
“We’ve been entering since its inception and it’s always pleasing to be considered among such great producers.”
Originally wool producers, the Camerons turned to cheesemaking following the 1991 wool floor crash.
“We knew at the time that to survive in Australian agriculture, you need to value add,” Ms Cameron said.
“This is back at a time when goat cheese was nowhere near as popular as it is today.
“Not only do we sell well in supermarkets, but there’s demand for it as a topping for gourmet pizza, it’s a key ingredient for smashed avocado at brunch.”
Ten other Victorian producers are in the running for February’s 2020 Australian Grand Dairy Awards: Yea Dairy, Gundowring Fine Foods, Bulla Dairy, Dooley’s Ice cream, Berry’s Creek Gourmet Cheese, Fonterra, Prom Country Cheese, That’s Amore Cheese and Floridia Cheese. The Melbourne Convention Centre is also a left-field contender for its pistachio ice cream.