Gossner Free

Utah-based Gossner Foods is among the latest dairy processors going rBST-free. Beginning Jan. 1, the company’s Logan, Utah plant will no longer accept milk from treated cows, and its Heyburn, Idaho plant will follow in April. Gossner’s California plant has never accepted milk from cows treated with the synthetic hormone.

100 Years, New Recipe

Tillamook Cheese’s new vintage white medium cheddar cheese was recognized as the top cheese at the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) 2006 cheese contest. After winning first place in its category, the cheese was awarded the best-of-competition Chairman’s Trophy, earning a score of 99.6 out of 100.

Cheese Gas

The city of Tulare, Calif., will spend $5.2 million to install fuel cells at its sewage plant that will use methane from cheese production waste to generate electricity. It is expected to save $2,000 per day in power costs.

CoolBrands Sells DSD Unit

Eskimo Pie Frozen Distribution Inc, a CoolBrands International Inc. subsidiary, has agreed to sell its “direct store door” frozen distribution assets in Florida, California, Oregon, and Washington to Southwest Traders Inc., for about $5 million.

Curds and Ale

Cabot Creamery and the Harpoon Brewery have come together to create a unique flavor of cheese, Cabot Harpoon IPA Beer Cheddar. Cheddar blocks 10-30 days old are cut into the desired sizes then stacked and soaked in Harpoon India Pale Ale for 24 hours.