Our Story
A Cheesemaker in the making
"Hey, come work at the cheese factory with me after school. They pay $3.10."Â
“Well, I’m only getting $2.90 at the campground…” Â
That’s how John Simpson began his career in cheese making. What started as hanging with a buddy sweeping floors after school, turned into a master class of cheese making: a hands-on-education in all things cheese. And a stellar one at that. One that made him a licensed cheese maker while still in high school.
As John's passion for making quality cheese grew, so did his passion for sharing the craft, and making sure others lived up to the high quality standards of the cheese industry. Moving from maker to grader, for many years he was charged with giving the stamp of approval (literally) to cheeses with USDA Dairy. “I was the guy who would come in and pour it, taste it, flavor it, and assign a US grade to it based on a complex standard.”
John has also trained USDA inspectors to grade cheese, taught a cheese evaluation course at Cornell University, and judged various US Cheese Championships.
Rich Heritage
You might say the business was always in his blood, as John’s grandparents were dairy farmers. They lived right next door, John trekking over to their farm almost daily. His parents were also dairy farmers. They didn’t have a farm, per se, but with a few acres and a couple of cows, they created one. “We used to milk two cows in the morning. And I actually milked those cows by hand because I love dairy so much. We put the milk in a gallon mayonnaise jar, and the fat would float to the top, and you'd see the cream, and we'd sell it to some people we knew.”
It is with these experiences as a young boy that John came to understand the concepts of pride, integrity, quality, and what it means to have a true work ethic.
Curators of Quality
The very best of the best. That’s what makes Simpson's Cheese different. Sourcing most of our highest quality picks from the heart of America's Dairyland, Green Bay, Wisconsin and select other trusted makers from around the country, we focus on real, natural cheese.
...“I've been to all these places multiple times. I've inspected them. I've turned their plants inside out. I know if it's a good, clean operation. I know who makes good cheese.”
The Difference Maker.
Simpson's Cheese Gift Boxes are distinctly different (and better) for several reasons:
We create our Gift Boxes with the very best cheeses from around the country, not just the cheeses we make. When you order a cheese box, you’ll get squeaky curds from Green Bay, Wisconsin, savory award winning Cupola from east Wisconsin, and unique and mouth watering Island Havarti Dill and creamy Sark Butterkäse from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We bring the flavors from around the country to each cheese box: all world class, highly touted and supremely delicious.
We are creative in putting our cheese boxes together. Each box has a theme for every occasion, hand picked, and expertly paired together. Whether you're looking for a sampling of many different flavors, or an experience a bit more tailored, we have you in mind.
We are real and authentic. We are truly folks that just want to share excellent products with people. To give and share with others. “When somebody sends somebody a Simpson's Cheese Gift Box, we want the recipient to feel that 'Whoever sent this to me appreciates me.’”
Our cheese boxes come in handcrafted wood boxes, which not only add to the elegance of the cheese gift, but are also sustainable and re-useable.