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Rumiano Cheese Company, California’s oldest family-owned cheese company, today announced the official launch of its Farm to School Organic Cheese Program to supply schools with nutrient-dense, healthy organic cheese for students. Designed to serve K-12 schools throughout the state of California, Rumiano’s new program is already underway serving 10 school districts and impacting over 50,000 students daily.
Alongside partners and representatives from Alice Waters Institute, Chef Ann Foundation, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Rumiano recently hosted its Farm to School Summit to help foster a community-led movement that promotes local sourcing of organic food for K-12 school cafeterias.
Bringing together 25 local farmers, thought leaders and food service professionals from 35 California school districts, the gathering, which was held at The Ecology Center, the nation’s first certified regenerative, organic fruit and vegetable farm located in Orange County, California, explored tools and effective ways to positively impact school cafeteria programs through the power of local, organic food. The engaging day consisted of panels and discussions on the themes of building community and nutrition in K-12 schools, improving local food systems, the procurement of organic food for California’s K-12 school cafeteria programs, and helping children understand the journey of their meals from farm to table. The event included an organic, regenerative seasonal school lunch inspired by Alice Waters’ forthcoming book, School Lunch Revolution, A School Lunch Manifesto.
“What a privilege it was to spend a magical day on the farm with an inspiring, collaborative community dedicated to bringing fresh, local, and organic food to school cafeterias,” said Joe Baird, Rumiano Cheese Company’s CEO. “Our aim is for this pioneering effort to serve as a model across the West, acting as a catalyst for local food systems—helping farmers, producers, and processors introduce their products to the K-12 market. Together, we are sowing the seeds for a healthier future, nurturing not just our children but the entire community.”
Rumiano Cheese Company was recently awarded a USDA grant to bring organic cheese to K-12 schools in California. The grant empowers Rumiano to invest in new processing equipment, logistics and transportation, enabling the creation of unique, organic, value-added dairy products that cater specifically to the nutritional and culinary needs of school cafeterias.
Rumiano has also launched a comprehensive educational program for schools in partnership with Chef Ann Foundation focusing on sustainable dairy practices and the benefits of local organic dairy products. Rumiano partners with the Alice Waters Institute to host workshops and convenings which serve to educate and inspire food service directors to make the transition to serving local, seasonal, organic-regenerative meals in their schools. These professional development opportunities connect food service directors with values-driven farmers and producers in their regions.
Already making significant strides, Rumiano has partnered with 10 school districts. Rumiano organic sliced and shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese are currently being served at school cafeterias and being used for salads, pizzas, quesadillas and more.
The 105-year-old brand continues to innovate, pioneer and evolve. Two years ago, Rumiano transitioned to a 100% USDA Certified Organic food brand. In addition to being American Humane Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, and free from pesticides, hormones and antibiotics, the company has also committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Rumiano’s award-winning organic dairy products are made from one of the best milk supplies in the world and sourced from 27 small, family-owned dairy farms in Northern California, many of which have been practicing regenerative farming for years. The company’s products are available at nearly 2,000 grocery and natural foods stores locations across the country including selective Whole Foods, Costco, Natural Grocers and Sprouts.
About Rumiano Cheese Company
Rumiano Cheese Company has been in the dairy business since 1919 and is the oldest family-owned cheese company in California. Four generations and 105 years later, Rumiano continues to be at the forefront of the industry. A pioneer in organic and artisanal cheesemaking, Rumiano’s award-winning dairy products are made from one of the best milk supplies in the world. The mild, foggy climate of California’s Redwood Coast enables happy cows to spend their days grazing acres and acres of lush pastures to produce milk that is naturally abundant in nutrition and full of extraordinary flavor. Rumiano products are distributed in all 50 states, as well as internationally in Mexico and Asia. In 2011, Rumiano Organics became the first certified non-GMO organic cheese in the world, and is the market leader in the natural grocery store segment. To learn more about Rumiano Cheese Company, please visit rumianocheese.com.
