What Pineland Farms Dairy Company does

Pineland Farms Dairy Company is a privately held specialty cheese manufacturer founded in 2005 and headquartered at 1 Milk Street, Bangor, Maine. Operating from a 70,000-square-foot cheesemaking facility completed in late 2018 (formerly a Dean Foods plant), the company is Maine's largest cheese producer, sourcing 100% of its milk from local family farms. Its core operations are traditional cheesemaking augmented by modern quality-control instrumentation: HTST pasteurization systems, Foss FoodScan NIR spectroscopy for non-destructive composition testing, Milk O Scan FT1 milk analysis, and Waverly Oscillator contaminant screening. The product portfolio spans traditional and artisanal cheeses including multiple Cheddar varieties (White, Sharp, Reserve 2-Year, Vintage 4-Year), Smoked Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Baby Swiss, Feta, Cotswold-style New Gloucester, Southwest Cheddar, fresh Cheddar Curds in multiple flavors, and limited-edition Kosher Alpine and Kosher Hungarian Spiced Paprika varieties. Supporting product lines include fluid Maine Milk and Pineland Farms Natural Meats (sub-brand).

The company pursues a hybrid go-to-market across three channels: direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce storefront (storebyweb.com) and two physical retail locations (flagship Market at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester and Monson General Store); wholesale grocery distribution through Hannaford and specialty New England retailers; and foodservice supply to restaurants and institutions (e.g., Duck Fat in Portland). Sales and marketing are led by dairy industry veteran Jim Lesser, with [email protected] handling wholesale inquiries. Customer segments span retail consumers, foodservice operators, retail grocery buyers, and a flagged future wholesale/co-manufacturing segment. Pricing is unit-based for DTC and inquiry-based for wholesale, with shipping costs elevated by cold-chain requirements. The company is led by President and master cheesemaker Mark Whitney (since 2004) and Production Manager Larry Wintle (40+ years of experience), supported by an artisan cheesemaking team of at least eight named craftspeople. Pineland Farms has accumulated over 60 industry awards across ACS, Big E, World Cheese Awards, and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (UK), including the 2025 John Davidge Perpetual Trophy for Best Smoked Cheese Overall. The company holds SQF food safety certification and operates key partnerships with Dairy Farmers of America and Good Shepherd Food Bank (hunger-relief donations totaling tens of thousands of pounds) and University of Maine (whey protein recovery research).

Name

Pineland Farms Dairy Company

Legal name

Pineland Farms Dairy Company, Inc.

Website

https://pinelandfarmsdairy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pineland Farms Dairy Company is Maine's largest cheese producer, manufacturing specialty and artisanal cheeses (Cheddar, Gouda, Jack, Feta, Curds, Kosher varieties) from 100% Maine-sourced milk at a 70,000-square-foot Bangor facility, serving retail consumers, grocery chains, and foodservice operators across New England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Cheese Manufacturing

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Cheese (Natural & Processed) (CRADACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB), Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB)

Keywords

• Artisan cheese production
• Specialty dairy products
• Fluid milk processing
• Wholesale cheese supply
• Farm-to-table dairy

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Specialty Cheese Sales: Pineland Farms produces and sells a wide range of award-winning cheeses including Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Feta, Colby Jack, flavored curds, and limited-edition varieties. Products sold in retail (grocery stores, specialty shops) and foodservice, as well as direct-to-consumer via their online store.
2. Fluid Milk and Dairy Products: The company also produces fluid milk products alongside cheese, serving the retail and foodservice markets in the Northeast.
3. Co-Manufacturing: Pineland Farms has indicated co-manufacturing as a potential growth initiative alongside expanded fresh cheese curd production and specialty product lines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pineland Farms Dairy Company manufactures and sells a broad portfolio of specialty cheeses including Cheddar varieties (White, Sharp, Reserve 2-Year, Vintage 4-Year, Smoked, Southwest, Smoked Hot Pepper), Jack varieties (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack), Smoked Gouda, Feta, Swiss, and fresh flavored Cheddar Curds (Plain, Garlic & Dill, Ranch). The company also produces fluid milk and operates a flagship retail store in New Gloucester, Maine, sourcing 100% of its milk from local Maine family farms.

Product overview

Pineland Farms Dairy Company is Maine's largest cheese producer, offering a diverse portfolio of specialty cheeses and dairy products. The core offering consists of traditional and artisanal cheeses including various Cheddar varieties (White, Sharp, Reserve 2-Year, Vintage 4-Year), flavored Cheddars (Smoked, Southwest, Smoked Hot Pepper), Jack varieties (Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Three Pepper Jack, Colby Jack), Swiss (Baby Swiss, traditional Swiss), Smoked Gouda, Feta, and fresh Cheddar Curds with multiple flavor profiles (Plain, Garlic & Dill, Ranch). The company expanded into kosher cheeses in 2024 with Alpine and Hungarian Spiced Paprika varieties. Supporting products include Maine Milk (fluid dairy), Pineland Farms Natural Meats (beef and pork products), and The Market at Pineland Farms flagship store in New Gloucester. The company sources 100% fresh Maine milk from local family farms and has earned over 20 awards in 2025 alone, including recognition from American Cheese Society, Big E, and International Cheese & Dairy Awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• New Gloucester (Cotswold-style) Cheese A Cotswold-style cheese featuring chives, onion, and garlic, based on a historic Double Gloucester recipe dating back over 200 years. Won Gold Medal at the American Cheese Society 2022 competition in the open category 'Cheeses with Flavor Added.'
• Southwest Cheddar Cheddar blended with green chilis and red pepper flakes, offering a creamy, mild but zesty kick compared to higher-heat peppers. Created by cheesemaker Robert Riendeau.
• White Cheddar Natural color cheddar (yellow counterpart uses annatto coloring agent) made using traditional methods with bold flavor and creamy texture. Available as 7oz bars and deli slices.
• Vintage Cheddar (4 Year) Aged for four years, this cheddar develops bold, sharp, and creamy flavor with notes of nuttiness and caramelization. Features calcium lactate crystals for texture.
• Colby Jack American original cheese blending Monterey Jack and Colby, creating a marbled appearance with creamy texture from Jack and slightly tangy note from Colby. Awarded Gold Medal at 2024 Big E.
• Smoked Cheddar Cheddar smoked with a carefully chosen blend of Maple and Beech wood chips for campfire-like smokiness. Awarded 3rd place at American Cheese Society 2013 and Gold at 2025 Big E.
• Plain Cheddar Curds Fresh cheese curds with creamy flavor and mildly nutty finish, known for characteristic 'squeak' when fresh. Available in 6oz containers or wholesale quantities. Awarded Gold at 2025 ACS.
• Garlic & Dill Curds Cheddar cheese curds with garlic and dill flavoring. Awarded Silver at Big E 2024 and Silver at 2025 Big E.
• Ranch Curds Cheddar curds infused with tangy, herby ranch dressing flavors complemented by slight spice of red bell peppers. Awarded Bronze Medal at 2019 World Cheese Awards.
• Smoked Gouda Gouda cheese smoked with maple wood for buttery, creamy, smooth texture with sweet, salty notes and subtle smokiness. Won Gold Medal at The Big E 2023 and 2024.
• Monterey Jack Incredibly creamy, full-bodied cheese with hint of nuttiness, known for supreme meltability. Won 1st Place at ACS 2008. Silver at 2025 Big E.
• Pepper Jack / Three Pepper Jack Jack cheese made with jalapeño, guajillo, and habanero peppers. Known for smooth meltability and spicy heat. Silver at 2025 Big E.
• Feta Cheese Crumbly cheese available as crumbles. Won 1st Place at ACS 2009 and 3rd Place at ACS 2010. Bronze at 2025 Big E.
• Baby Swiss Swiss-style cheese with smooth texture and characteristic holes. Bronze at 2025 Big E.
• Kosher Alpine Cheese Limited-edition kosher cheese with rich, nutty flavor and firm to semi-hard texture. Crafted under kosher supervision (mashgiach) using kosher-certified ingredients including non-GMO or vegetable-based rennet. Inspired by traditional Alpine cheeses from Europe.
• Kosher Hungarian Spiced Paprika Cheese Limited-edition kosher cheese with tangy, slightly smoky flavor from paprika coating. Smooth-textured cheese with reddish hue.
• Maine Fluid Milk Fluid milk products made from 100% fresh Maine milk sourced from local family farms. The company supports local dairy farmers and serves retail and foodservice markets in the Northeast.
• Smoked Hot Pepper Cheddar Cheddar with spicy, smoky flavor. Won Gold at 2025 International Cheese & Dairy Awards UK and was awarded the John Davidge Perpetual Trophy for Best Smoked Cheese Overall among 5,500+ entries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 cheese awards in 2025, the company's most successful competition season
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Good Shepherd Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2021Primary food bank recipient of Pineland Farms cheese donations. Donated 34,586 pounds of cheese in the first round and 12,000 pounds in subsequent donations, distributed to over 500 partner agencies across Maine including food pantries, meal sites, shelters, and schools.
• International Cheese & Dairy Awards (UK)minorOthersPineland Farms competed at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards in the UK, winning the John Davidge Perpetual Trophy for Best Smoked Cheese Overall among 5,500+ entries.
• Dairy Farmers of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing hunger-relief partnership in which DFA donates milk collected from local dairy farmers, which Pineland Farms processes into cheese for donation to Good Shepherd Food Bank. Multiple donation cycles of 12,000+ pounds of cheese delivered since 2020.
• University of MainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership where Pineland Farms contributed whey for a University of Maine study published in Foods journal, exploring sugar kelp-based flocculation to recover whey proteins from cheese production waste, supporting sustainability and circular economy goals.
• Cellardoor WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaine winery partnering for National Wine & Cheese Day promotions, creating award-winning wine and cheese pairing content featuring Pineland Farms cheeses. Both companies are Maine-based producers supporting each other's marketing.
• The Good CrustminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaine-based pizza dough supplier used in Pineland Farms recipes featuring Smoked Cheddar. Products cross-promoted through recipe content on the Pineland Farms website.
• FIORE Artisan Olive Oils And VinegarsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArtisan olive oil supplier used in Pineland Farms recipes featuring Smoked Cheddar (Garlic Olive Oil). Products cross-promoted through recipe content.
• A Wee Bit FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSweet sausage supplier used in Pineland Farms recipe for Northern Bite Potato and Sausage Gourmet Pizza featuring Smoked Cheddar.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shelburne Farms: Vermont farmstead cheddar producer with award-winning aged cheddars and a farm-based provenance story. Comparable on premium aged cheddar positioning, New England regional identity, and farm-to-table brand narrative.
• Cabot Creamery: Vermont-based dairy cooperative producing a wide range of specialty cheeses, butter, and fluid milk across New England and national retail. Most directly comparable to Pineland Farms in terms of regional New England dairy sourcing, cheese portfolio breadth, and retail deli placement model.
• Sartori Cheese: Wisconsin-based artisan cheese maker producing award-winning Italian-style and cheddar varieties for retail and foodservice. Comparable on specialty/aged cheese portfolio, award-driven marketing, and premium retail and foodservice distribution model.
• Grafton Village Cheese: Vermont artisanal cheese company producing aged cheddars and specialty varieties with strong regional brand and retail/wholesale distribution. Closely comparable on aged cheddar program, New England regional identity, and specialty retail placement strategy.
• Jasper Hill Farm: Vermont-based artisanal cheese producer nationally recognized for award-winning aged cheeses. Comparable on specialty/aged cheddar portfolio, farm-to-table sourcing narrative, and competition-driven brand building.
• Rogue Creamery: Oregon-based artisanal cheese maker known for award-winning blue and aged cheeses distributed nationally and internationally. Comparable on specialty/award-winning cheese model, DTC and wholesale distribution, and brand-led premium positioning, though geographically distant.
• Vermont Creamery: Artisanal cheese and butter producer based in Vermont with a comparable specialty/award-winning positioning and similar headcount and revenue scale. Directly comparable on craft cheesemaking model, premium retail and foodservice distribution, and emphasis on provenance.

Broad incumbents

• Tillamook: Oregon dairy cooperative with broad portfolio of cheeses, ice cream, butter, and fluid milk distributed nationally. A much larger incumbent overlapping with Pineland Farms in cheese and fluid milk categories, but operating at a national rather than regional scale.
• Organic Valley: Large national organic dairy cooperative producing cheeses, fluid milk, butter, and other dairy with strong farm-provenance messaging. Overlaps with Pineland Farms on family-farm sourcing narrative and cheese portfolio, but at a far larger national scale.
• Stonyfield Farm: New Hampshire-based organic dairy brand with a portfolio spanning yogurt, fluid milk, and cream. Comparable as a New England-based dairy brand with strong provenance and sustainability messaging, though predominantly a yogurt rather than cheese producer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pinelandcheese
• Facebookfacebook.com/PinelandFarmsDairyCompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pineland-farms-dairy-company

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pineland Farms Dairy Company