Emmi Roth USA, headquartered in Fitchburg, Wis., and Meister Cheese Company, a third-generation specialty cheese manufacturer in Muscoda, Wis., announced the launch of their joint venture with the new Kindred Creamery™ brand of classic specialty American cheese varieties.

“We created the Kindred Creamery brand with a desire to invoke the importance of integrity, equity and responsibility to our rural farmers, our community and our customers,” says Scott Meister, President of Meister Cheese.

All of the milk used for the Kindred Creamery™ brand is provided via Meister Cheese’s Cows First™ animal welfare program. This program requires the cows to have unfettered access to the outdoors, to be free of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rbST) – also known as Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rbGH) – and prohibits tail docking and animal byproducts in feed. Meister Cheese partners with dairy farmers who combine the traditions of farming with the methods of modern technology, and farms are paid up to an additional $1 per hundredweight premium for adhering to the Cows First protocol. Farms within the program are annually certified by the third party auditor Validus©, and are open to customer visits.

“The synergies and complementary strengths between our companies is what led to this partnership,” says Tim Omer, President and Managing Director for Emmi Roth USA. “Meister’s manufacturing capabilities and our artisan-with-scale aptitude have combined to create a new, exciting brand in Kindred Creamery.”

“Being part of the Cow’s First milk program has really given our third-generation, family farm a sense of pride and financial vitality – all for doing things we already believe in,” says Michelle Winkers of MJJ Farm, LLC.

Kindred Creamery™ has made its debut on retailer shelves, and varieties will be available in 7-ounce wedges and 5-pound random weight loaves. The Kindred Creamery flavors include Sharp Cheddar, Medium Cheddar, Mild Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, Natural Smoked Gouda, Sweet Fire Mango Jack, Spicy Sriracha Jack, Wild Ginseng & Garlic Jack, Ghost Pepper Colby Jack, Hickory Smoked Cheddar and Forage Mushroom & Spring Onion Jack.