Treeline
Treeline Cheesemakers produces artisanal French-style, cultured-cashew non-dairy cheeses, cream cheeses, aged wheels, fresh formats, and dips, selling through its own e-commerce site and wholesale to natural and mainstream grocers across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersKingston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Treeline does
Treeline Cheesemakers (legally The Gardener Cheese Company, Inc.) is a privately held, founder-owned producer of artisanal, French-style plant-based cheeses and dairy alternatives headquartered in Kingston, New York. Founded in 2011 by former lawyer Michael Schwarz after he adopted a vegan lifestyle, the company manufactures cultured cashew-based products including soft French-style and goat-style cheeses, cream cheeses, aged artisanal wheels (Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Classic, Cracked Pepper), and fresh formats such as sour cream, ricotta, mozzarella, and cottage cheese, plus a four-flavor dairy-free dips line. All products are made at the company's own Kingston facility on company-owned equipment and carry certifications including Non-GMO verified and Kosher Parve, with formulations that avoid palm and coconut oils, soy, and gluten.
The company generates revenue through two channels. The first is direct-to-consumer e-commerce through treelinecheese.com, which ships temperature-controlled orders subject to a four-item minimum, $21 flat shipping under $59, free shipping above $59, and a seasonal summer closure. The second is wholesale distribution to natural and mainstream grocers including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Wegmans, Giant Foods, Fred Meyer, Natural Grocers, Ralphs, and Erewhon, with the company claiming products are available in thousands of stores across North America. A complementary vegan charcuterie collection bundles third-party partner brands (Renegade Foods, Beth's Farm Kitchen, Gotham Greens, It's Jerky Y'all, Hellenic Farms, Jennifer's Homemade, Tait Farm Foods, Top Seedz) around the core cheeses to support charcuterie-board occasions.
Treeline targets three primary consumer segments: strict vegans and plant-based dieters, lactose-intolerant consumers, and health-conscious consumers seeking lower saturated fat and probiotic content. The company has no disclosed external venture or private equity backing beyond a 2021 zero-dollar engagement with Gather Ventures, employs 11-50 people, and has accumulated consecutive Mindful Awards for Plant Based Product of the Year in 2024 and 2025, the 2025 USA Today Readers Choice Best Vegan Cheese, and Best Vegan Cheese Brand recognition from Tasting Table and The Daily Meal in 2024.
Treeline firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Treeline
- Legal name
- The Gardener Cheese Company, Inc.
- Website
- https://treelinecheese.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Treeline Cheesemakers produces artisanal French-style, cultured-cashew non-dairy cheeses, cream cheeses, aged wheels, fresh formats, and dips, selling through its own e-commerce site and wholesale to natural and mainstream grocers across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Treeline industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Plant-Based Food Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000), Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plant-Based & Alternative Dairy Cultures (Vegan Yogurt/Cheese, Fermented Plant Beverages) (AFAJAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAL)
Keywords
Where Treeline is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kingston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Treeline business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: Treeline generates revenue through direct online sales of their cashew-based cheese, sour cream, and dip products, as well as wholesale distribution to natural food retailers and grocery chains nationwide.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Soft French-Style Cheeses - $7.49 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Scallion French-Style Cheese - $7.49 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Plain Cream Cheese - $6.49 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chive & Onion Cream Cheese - price varies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cream Cheese Snack Packs - price varies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mozzarella Block - $7.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ricotta - From $7.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sour Cream - From $4.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cottage Cheese - Online Exclusive |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Goat-Style Cheeses - price varies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aged Artisanal Cheeses - price varies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dips - From $4.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Vegan Charcuterie Products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Treeline product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Treeline manufactures artisanal cashew-based, non-dairy cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and dips cultured with probiotics. Products span soft French-style and goat-style spreads, aged cheese wheels, mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese, and dairy-free dips, sold direct-to-consumer online and wholesale to retailers.
Product overview
Treeline is a single-product food company specializing in artisanal vegan non-dairy cheese, sour cream, and dips made from premium cashews and probiotics. The core product line consists of Soft Cheeses (French-Style and Goat-Style varieties), Cream Cheeses, Hard-Aged Cheese Wheels, and Fresh Cheeses (Sour Cream, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Cottage Cheese). The company also offers Dairy-Free Dips in four flavors (Sour Cream & Onion, Tzatziki, Ranch, and Blue Cheese). A complementary Vegan Charcuterie collection includes third-party products like vegan salami, jerky, pesto, jams, condiments, olives, and crackers designed to complement their cheeses for complete charcuterie boards. All Treeline products are 100% vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, lactose-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and Kosher Parve certified. The company has won multiple awards including 2024 and 2025 Mindfulness Awards for Plant Based Product of the Year, and has been named the best vegan cheese brand by Tasting Table and The Daily Meal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Herb Garlic French-Style Cashew Cheese Bestselling cultured cashew cheese with garlic and Italian herbs, usable as spread, pasta sauce, or pizza topping. Naturally low in saturated fat and a good source of protein.
- Creamy Scallion French-Style Cashew Cheese Cultured cashew cheese blended with onion, scallions, and lemon. Rich and creamy, naturally low in saturated fat and a good source of protein.
- Caramelized Onion French-Style Cashew Cheese French-style spreadable cheese combining the sweetness and umami of onions with tanginess, usable on crackers, veggie burgers, or eaten with a spoon.
- Non-Dairy Cashew Pimento Cheese Traditional Southern-style pimento cheese made from cashews, offered as a non-dairy alternative.
- Original Vegan Goat-Style Cashew Cheese Rich, creamy cashew-based spread that mimics traditional goat cheese, suitable for salads or crusty bread toppings.
- Garlic & Basil Vegan Goat-Style Cashew Cheese Cashew-based cheese with robust garlic flavor and sweet herbal aroma of basil, suitable for pizza, pasta, or bruschetta.
- Blueberry Vegan Goat-Style Cashew Cheese Sweet and tart cashew cheese with dried blueberries, served with syrup and pairing well with crisp white wine. Voted Best Vegan Cheese by USA Today Readers Choice Awards.
- Plain Non-Dairy Cashew Cream Cheese Award-winning cashew cream cheese named the best vegan cheese brand by Tasting Table and The Daily Meal; 8oz priced at $6.49.
- Chive & Onion Non-Dairy Cashew Cream Cheese Savory cashew cream cheese with chives and onions, ideal for breakfast bagels or crackers.
- Plain Non-Dairy Cashew Cream Cheese Snack Packs Individual 1.5oz portions of plain cashew cream cheese in a 6-pack box (9 oz total) for convenient snacking.
- Cheddar Aged Artisanal Cashew Cheese Sharp, cheddary aged cashew cheese designed to be sliced with crackers or shredded for salads, not for melting.
- Smoked Gouda Aged Artisanal Cashew Cheese Creamy and smoky aged cashew cheese, cut into wedges and combined with vegan salami or crackers for an umami-rich treat.
- Classic Aged Artisanal Cashew Cheese Aged artisanal cheese with subtle smokiness from smoked sea salt, firm yet creamy consistency for crackers, pasta, or salad.
- Cracked Pepper Aged Artisanal Cashew Cheese Cultured cashews blended and dusted with cracked black pepper, the original cheese that started Treeline, ideal for cheese boards.
- Non-Dairy Cashew Sour Cream Rich and creamy cultured cashew-based vegan sour cream, usable like dairy sour cream, naturally low in saturated fat and a good source of protein. 2024 Mindful Award Winner - Plant Based Product of the Year. Available in 7.5oz and 11.5oz sizes starting at $4.99.
- Non-Dairy Cashew Ricotta Cultured cashew ricotta suitable for lasagna, cannoli, cavatelli, eggplant parmigiana, cheesecake, and crostini. High in protein, low in saturated fat. Available in 7.5oz and 11.5oz sizes starting at $7.99. 2025 Mindful Award winner.
- Non-Dairy Cashew Mozzarella Block Melting cashew mozzarella perfect for pizza and lasagna, also great in salads. Creamy and low in saturated fat. 8oz priced at $7.99.
- Non-Dairy Cashew Cottage Cheese Vegan cottage cheese with curds and probiotics, a new online-exclusive product offering.
- Sour Cream & Onion Dairy-Free Dip Classic onion dip made with a cultured cashew sour cream base, vegan and dairy-free.
- Tzatziki Dairy-Free Dip Mediterranean-style dip made the traditional way with cucumbers, dill, lemon, garlic, and cultured cashew sour cream.
- Ranch Dairy-Free Dip American favorite ranch dip made with cashew sour cream, creamy and cool, also usable as a salad dressing.
- Blue Cheese Dairy-Free Dip Classic blue cheese dip and dressing with creaminess and bold flavor and real cheesy chunks, versatile for vegetables, potatoes, or salads. Priced at $4.99.
- Vegan Charcuterie Collection A curated collection of third-party plant-based charcuterie products designed to complement Treeline cheeses, including Renegade vegan salami, fig salami, vegan jerky, vegan pesto, jams, condiments, olives, artichokes, cornichons, maple syrup, flatbreads, and crackers.
- Treeline Gift Card Gift cards for purchasing Treeline non-dairy cheese products.
Quantifiable outcome
- Winner of 2024 and 2025 Mindfulness Award for Plant Based Product of the Year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Treeline
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Treeline technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Treeline partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Whole Foods MarketcoreMajor natural food retailer chain serving as primary wholesale distribution channel for Treeline products across their stores nationwide.
- Sprouts Farmers MarketcoreNatural grocery chain carrying Treeline products in their health-focused retail locations.
- Giant FoodscoreRegional grocery chain providing mainstream retail distribution for Treeline products.
- WegmanscoreRegional grocery chain known for natural and organic product selection carrying Treeline products.
- Fred MeyercoreRegional grocery chain providing retail distribution for Treeline products.
- Natural Grocers Vitamin CottagecoreNatural grocery chain focused on health foods carrying Treeline products.
- RalphscoreRegional grocery chain (Kroger subsidiary) providing retail distribution for Treeline products.
- ErewhoncorePremium natural food market chain known for high-quality natural and organic products carrying Treeline products.
- Renegade FoodsminorProvider of European-style artisan vegan salami (Sweet Toscana, Salami Provence, Smoky Soppressata) sold through Treeline's vegan charcuterie collection.
- Beth's Farm KitchenminorLocal producer of Fig Jam sourced from across the Hudson River, included in Treeline's vegan charcuterie collection.
- Tait Farm FoodsminorPennsylvania-based producer of Apple Chutney and Cranberry Mustard condiments included in Treeline's vegan charcuterie collection.
- Gotham GreensminorSustainable basil and pesto producer whose Vegan Pesto is sold through Treeline's charcuterie collection.
- It's Jerky Y'allminorTexas-based vegan jerky company (Black Pepper & Sea Salt and Prickly Pear Chipotle flavors) included in Treeline's vegan charcuterie collection.
- Jennifer's HomemademinorProducer of Original and Rosemary Flatbread varieties sold through Treeline's vegan charcuterie collection.
- Top SeedzminorProducer of 6 Seed Crackers (organic, gluten-free, vegan, paleo-friendly) sold through Treeline's charcuterie collection.
- Hellenic FarmsminorProducer of Fig Salami made from premium Greek figs, Aleppo pepper and orange zest, included in Treeline's charcuterie collection.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Treeline competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Miyoko's Creamery: Miyoko's is the most direct comp to Treeline: a pioneer of artisanal, cultured plant-based cheeses using traditional cheesemaking techniques. They compete head-to-head in French-style spreads, aged wheels, and cream cheese.
- Kite Hill: Kite Hill makes almond-based artisan cheeses, cream cheeses, and ricotta - directly comparable to Treeline's cultured, premium plant-based cheese portfolio with overlapping SKUs (cream cheese, ricotta, soft spreads).
- WayFare Foods: WayFare makes dairy-free sour cream, cream cheese, butter, and cheese using a cultured base, comparable to Treeline's cultured cashew production approach for non-dairy spreads and dips.
Broad incumbents
- Violife: Violife is a global, large-scale plant-based cheese brand owned by Upfield, offering a broad range of slices, shreds, and blocks across mainstream retail. They compete with Treeline in mozzarella/cream cheese but at significantly larger scale and with broader mass-market positioning.
- Follow Your Heart: Follow Your Heart is an established plant-based dairy brand with vegan cheese slices, shreds, sour cream, and cream cheese. They compete with Treeline across multiple SKUs but historically focus on mass-market slices/shreds rather than artisanal cultured spreads.
- Daiya Foods: Daiya is one of the largest North American plant-based cheese brands, with extensive distribution in conventional grocery. They overlap with Treeline in dairy-free cheese, cream cheese, and pizza categories but with a broader mass-market product mix.
- Field Roast (owned by Maple Leaf Foods): Field Roast is a mainstream plant-based brand with Chao slices and Chao Creamery cheeses that overlap with Treeline's dairy-free cheese positioning in natural and conventional grocery.
Emerging players
- Forager Project: Forager Project is a plant-based yogurt, cream cheese, and cheese brand competing in overlapping categories with Treeline. They are smaller in scale but directly comparable on cultured plant-based dairy products.
- Nurri (formerly Heidi Ho): Nurri specializes in cultured cashew-based cheese wheels and spreads - the same proprietary approach as Treeline. They are a niche, comparable peer focused on artisanal aged plant-based cheese.
- Good Planet Foods: Good Planet Foods offers plant-based cheese slices and blocks that compete with Treeline in conventional grocery, with overlapping distribution among natural and mainstream retailers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Treeline social profiles
Digital presenceTreeline financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Treeline leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Treeline funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Treeline M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Treeline
What does Treeline do?
Treeline manufactures artisanal cashew-based, non-dairy cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, and dips cultured with probiotics. Products span soft French-style and goat-style spreads, aged cheese wheels, mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese, and dairy-free dips, sold direct-to-consumer online and wholesale to retailers.
Is Treeline a public or private company?
Treeline is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Treeline founded?
Treeline was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Treeline based?
Treeline is headquartered in Kingston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Treeline make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct Product Sales.
Who are Treeline's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Miyoko's Creamery, Kite Hill and WayFare Foods. Broad incumbents are Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya Foods and Field Roast (owned by Maple Leaf Foods). Emerging players are Forager Project, Nurri (formerly Heidi Ho) and Good Planet Foods.
Does Treeline have an API?
No public API is recorded for Treeline.
What industry is Treeline in?
Treeline's product category is Plant-Based Food Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAJAG, Plant-Based & Alternative Dairy Cultures (Vegan Yogurt/Cheese, Fermented Plant Beverages), with a secondary code of AFAKAKAL, Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 3115 and its SIC code is 2000.