Lakin's Gorges Cheeses & East Forty Farm

Founded by Allison Lakin in 2011, Lakin’s Gorges is a culmination of a lifetime of learning and hard work pooled together by both Allison and husband Neal Foley. Believe it or not, neither Allison nor Neal have a farming heritage! Allison is from upstate New York, and attended Cornell for anthropology. She went on to have a career in museum work, education, and other nonprofit ventures, but eventually fell in love with cheesemaking in the early 2000s. She says that cheesemaking is a comprehensive process that involves science, storytelling, education, and of course, delicious food, all of which makes it her perfect job. Neal grew up in the Hartford area of Connecticut, working seasonal farm jobs as a kid. He then went on to a more in-depth career in agriculture and food, which took him everywhere from a Benedictine monastery on Shaw Island in Washington to cooking schools in Ireland and apprenticeships in France! So when Allison and Neal met at a community pig roast in 2015, sparks flew and a comprehensive cheesemaking farm was born.

These days, Neal heads up most of the livestock work while Allison makes the award winning cheese. They raise a herd of Jersey cows for both milk and meat and whey-fed pigs to process the cheese byproduct and charcuterie! With 13 varieties of cheese to choose from and plenty of delicious farm-raised meats, you’re sure to find something special!

Recently, Lakin’s Gorges’ Opus 42 won the prestigious title of a silver award at the World Cheese Awards, quite possibly the biggest cheese competition in the world! Make sure to follow them on Instagram & Facebook to keep up to date on their great work!