Regenerative farming co-op launches Golden Hooves, the cheddar with a stomp of approval

Picture caption: Dan Smith of Hooks Farm in Borrowash, Derbyshire, one of First Milk’s 700 members across Britain.

British farmer-owned dairy co-operative, First Milk has announced the launch of its regenerative cheese range, Golden Hooves, made exclusively using fully traceable regeneratively farmed milk. Mature Cheddar is the first Golden Hooves product to land in the counters of independent retailers across the UK, representing the collective sustainability efforts of hundreds of family-run farms.

United by a shared commitment to healthy soil, healthy cows and a healthy planet, the co-op’s 700 members have developed regenerative methods to suit their own farms across the country. Using grazing cows to work the land with their magic hooves, these farms are taking steps to continually encourage plant and wildlife biodiversity, protect the soil and maintain living roots, in the process removing carbon from the atmosphere and sequestering it into the soil.

The product of a collective drive to achieve better outcomes for the planet, Golden Hooves’ cheddar is made using an award-winning recipe. Rounded, rugged and moreish, this cheddar delivers more on the palate while doing much more for mother nature; all part of the Golden Hooves pledge to make everyday produce, that is good for the planet and people, the better choice.

Through a continual cycle of improvements, measurement and review, in many cases returning to the traditional farming systems that sustained human populations for centuries, the regenerative efforts of Golden Hooves farmers are helping to regenerate the soil, having a positive impact on the world while producing nutritious, tasty food.

In recognition of the co-op’s commitment to the regeneration of the earth, First Milk was awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development earlier this year and has recently become a certified B-Corporation, joining a network of likeminded companies using business as a force for good.

Leona McDonald, director of Golden Hooves, commented:

“We’re so excited to be finally putting Golden Hooves out there, showcasing the incredible work of our farmers in delis, food halls and farm shops across the UK. The majority of our members were already farming in line with regenerative principles, and we feel privileged as a co-op to be in a position to help them take this forward – through shared learnings, meaningful research and flying the flag for them in cheese counters everywhere. We’re all very proud of our first Golden Hooves cheddar, not only because it tastes so good, but for what it represents. Our cheese is an expression of a continual commitment to regenerate our shared earth, on a scale that can ensure a positive future for the many, not the few. Dairy farming can leave the world in a better place.”

Golden Hooves Mature Cheddar is available to purchase online at thecheesemarket.co.uk for £3.95 per 200g pack, as well as in independent retailers across the UK, RRP £3.75 - £4.00 per 200g pack.

For more information, visit goldenhooves.co.uk.