Kennebec Cheesery

Founded on centuries-old farmland in Sidney, ME, Kennebec Cheesery, owned by Jean and Peter Koons, has been distributing its creamy creations since 2008. Well-known for its delectable cheeses and yogurts that are skillfully prepared and aged to perfection, this artisan cheesery is continuously growing to serve an expanding loyal customer base. Beginning with their herd of 60 dairy goats and two dozen Katahdin sheep that graze on 30 acres of pastures and hay fields, the Koons’ cheesemaking process occurs completely by hand on-site. Originally producing only their signature chevre rounds and yogurt, the Koons experimented as they expanded and now include other cheeses in their lineup such as feta, brie, and paneer. The Koons went from creating small batches in 5-gallon pots to larger batches in 40-gallon soup kettles, to now using 2 40-gallon kettles and one 100-gallon vat in a dedicated cheesemaking room to ensure that you can try their amazing dairy delights.

This kind of cheesemaking doesn’t just require specialized equipment: it requires passion and experience. For her entire life, head cheesemaker Jean Koons has lived and breathed farming and cheesemaking, expanding her cheesemaking knowledge for over 40 years throughout her journey around the world. With the help of her husband Peter Koons, who manages the production of feed on the farm, they have built a devoted team that is able to produce exceptional and noteworthy cheeses.. It’s no shocker that this dream team has won awards such as Best in Show and Best Washed-Rind Cheese at the Maine Cheese Awards in 2022.

Visit their website to find local shops stocked with Kennebec Creamery products and browse a full rundown of their products (www.kennebeccheesery.com) including each product’s age and ingredients (so that you know what you are getting!). Keep updated with everything they do on Facebook (Kennebec Cheesery) and Instagram (@kennebec.cheesery).