Sunday Supper Spotlight: Valley Shepherd Creamery
Valley Shepherd Creamery represents the culmination of the hopes and dreams of owners Eran and Deb Wajswol, former engineers and current Morris County residents who traveled throughout Europe enjoying and admiring the fresh, locally-made cheeses sold in open-air markets in France, Italy, and Spain and ultimately brought that experience home in a highly sustainable way.
At their 120-acre farm in Long Valley, “we raise 600 sheep, 150 goats, and 50 cows using natural methods and no hormones,” said shop and sales manager Amanda Bancroft, who noted that “‘you are what you eat,’ and we know what our animals are eating – grass that’s pesticide and chemical-free.”
The result of their natural, sustainable approach to managing both their land and animals is over 30 varieties of farm-fresh cheese made from sheep, goat, and cow’s milk, including their popular ‘Shepherd’s Basket’ Manchego-style cheese, ‘Crema de Blue,’ which is similar to Gorgonzola, and a Gouda variety made with nettles called ‘Nettlesome’ in which the prickly wild herb is boiled so that its oniony/garlicky flavor can infuse into the cheese.
In addition to offering freshly-made cow’s milk butter, Valley Shepherd Creamery also offers sheep’s milk yogurt and ricotta cheese as well as a delicious goat’s milk yogurt drink, “all of which are especially great for lactose-intolerant customers,” Bancroft said.
A regular vendor at the Morristown Farmer’s Market, Bancroft said that Valley Shepherd Creamery will offer an array of popular cheeses for attendees to sample at the Morris County Sunday Supper event on Sunday and looks forward to the opportunity to promote their fresh, locally-made product as well as their natural approach as an area food producer.
“It’s very special and beautiful that the community has an event like the Sunday Supper,” Bancroft said, “because it gives people a chance to get to know their farmers and, in turn, the opportunity to better understand where their food comes from.”
Valley Shepherd Creamery is located at 50 Fairmount Road in Long Valley and can be reached at 908-876-3200 or by visiting www.valleyshepherd.com
SUNDAY SUPPER SERIES
The Daily Record is partnering with Sustainable Morristown to bring the Morris County Sunday Supper Series, a farm-to-table tasting event, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Hyatt Morristown, 3 Speedwell Ave.
Sponsored by the Highlands Dinner Club, Covanta Energy, Hyatt Morristown and Kings Food Market, the Sunday Supper event will feature live music by A.L.L. Trio, an open bar, silent auction and an award presentation announcing the winners of the Daily Record Grassroots and Sustainable Morristown Awards.
The following restaurants, farms and food suppliers will be participating at the event: Morris Tap & Grill, Paragon Tap & Table, The Artist Baker, Wholly Wholesome, The Taco Truck, Harvest Group, Shore Catch, Valley Shepherd Creamery, Ralston Farms, Tassot Apiaries, Griggstown Quail Farm, Jeff’s Organic Produce, Glenmalure Farm Branchville, Jersey Artisan Distilling, Weyerbacher Brewing, Smartworld Coffee, Hudson Whiskey and Phila Distillery.
Tickets are $100 for a single ticket, $175 for a pair and can be purchased online or at the door.
For more information, visit http://sustainablemorristown.org/2014/08/2014-local-sunday-supper.