Smith's Country Cheese

What Smith's Country Cheese does

Smith's Country Cheese is a family-owned farmstead dairy and creamery operating on 43 rural acres in Winchendon, Massachusetts. The business runs 200 Holstein cows producing an average 75 lbs of milk per day each, which is processed on-site into artisanal cheeses using a traditional Gouda recipe developed through a University of Minnesota pilot program and Canadian cheesemaking courses, in continuous use since the creamery's founding in 1985. The product portfolio centers on three cheese families — Gouda (plain, aged, extra aged, smoked, and a wide range of flavored varieties including chipotle, ghost pepper, salsa-rubbed, everything-bagel, garlic, onion & chive, cumin/Leyden, and sun-dried tomato & basil), Cheddar (sold primarily as 12-count cheese stick boxes in plain, chive, chili pepper, and smoked varieties), and Havarti — supplemented by charcuterie boards, cultured butter, fresh farmer's cheese, Gouda spreads, gift boxes, and apparel. A secondary sub-brand, Catlin Farmstead, sells organic compost products (Black Gold Compost, Black Gold Plus, Super Soil, Food Scrap Compost, cow manure, and Moo Mulch) derived from the dairy's manure byproducts.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer sales (on-site farm store with viewing windows, e-commerce shipping, weekly farmers markets in Natick, Brookline, Waltham, and Newton, plus Cow Yoga events), event catering (pre-ordered charcuterie boards from $30 to $120), and wholesale distribution through named regional and national grocery chains including Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, and Whole Foods, as well as specialty food stores, wine shops, and farm markets nationwide. Pricing is small-ticket unit-based ($9-$13 per 8oz of cheese, $19.99 per 12-count cheese stick box, $6-$7 per compost bag) with no subscription or recurring model. The business was acquired by the Catlin family from founders David and Carol Smith in 2016 after a multi-year ownership transition and has since operated as a four-owner family partnership with no disclosed institutional investors. Operational footprint includes a grid-tied photovoltaic solar system offsetting over 70% of hot water and 30% of electrical usage, and the compost line carries organic certification from Baystate Organic Certifiers with documented PFAS and PFOA-free testing.

Name

Smith's Country Cheese

Legal name

Smith's Country Cheese

Website

https://smithscountrycheese.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smith's Country Cheese is a family-owned farmstead dairy and creamery in Winchendon, MA, producing artisanal Gouda, Cheddar, and Havarti from its 200-cow Holstein herd and selling direct-to-consumer, at farmers markets, and through regional and national grocery wholesalers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Farmstead Cheese

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB), Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAL)

Keywords

• Farmstead cheese production
• Artisan dairy products
• Raw milk gouda
• Cheddar cheese sticks
• Organic compost products

Headquarters

HQ city

Winchendon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Direct Farm Store Sales: On-farm retail store selling cheese, gifts, local wine and beer. Customers can visit for self-guided tours through viewing windows in the cheese-making room.
2. E-commerce Online Sales: Online shop for cheese products, cheese sticks, charcuterie boards, gift boxes, apparel and merchandise. Direct shipping to customers.
3. Farmers Market Sales: Weekly attendance at multiple farmers markets in greater Boston area including Natick, Brookline, Waltham, and Newton markets.
4. Wholesale Compost Products: Catlin Farmstead division selling organic Black Gold Compost products including bags and bulk orders to consumers and wholesale buyers for greenhouse and nursery distribution.
5. Wholesale Cheese Distribution: Distribution through regional grocery chains (Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, Whole Foods) and specialty retailers nationwide.
6. Custom Charcuterie Boards: Pre-order catering service providing assembled charcuterie boards for events with 48-hour advance notice required.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smith's Country Cheese is a family-owned dairy farm and creamery that produces artisanal farmstead cheeses (Gouda, cheddar, and Havarti) using raw milk from their own 200-cow Holstein herd on a 43-acre farm in Winchendon, MA. The company sells its cheese directly through an on-farm retail store, e-commerce website, farmers markets, and wholesale distribution to regional and national grocery retailers, and also operates a sub-brand (Catlin Farmstead) selling organic compost and farm products.

Product overview

Smith's Country Cheese is a family-owned farmstead dairy and creamery operation that produces artisanal cheeses from raw milk sourced from their own Holstein herd. The product portfolio centers on three core cheese varieties—Gouda, Cheddar, and Havarti—sold in multiple formats and flavor profiles. Gouda offerings include Plain, Aged, Extra Aged, Smoked, and numerous specialty varieties (Chipotle-Rubbed, Ghost Pepper, Salsa-Rubbed, Everything Bagel-Rubbed, Garlic, Onion & Chive, Cumin Seed/Leyden, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil). Cheddar products are available as cheese sticks in Plain, Chive, Chili Pepper, and Smoked varieties, plus a 12-count Variety Pack. The company also offers catering services through pre-assembled Charcuterie Boards in four sizes (Small through Extra Large) that include assorted cheeses, meats, fruits, and accoutrements on bamboo boards. A secondary product line under the Catlin Farmstead sub-brand includes organic compost products (Black Gold Compost, Black Gold Plus, Super Soil, Food Scrap Compost) and related farm products (Cow Manure, Moo Mulch, Natural Wood Chips). Additional offerings include Cultured Butter, Fresh Farmer's Cheese, Gouda Spreads, Gift Boxes, Apparel & Merchandise, and Farm Fresh Milk.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Catlin Farmstead: Home of Otter River Black Gold Compost - organic compost products including Black Gold Compost (Red Bag) and Black Gold Plus (Green Bag), along with Super Soil, Food Scrap Compost, Cow Manure, and Moo Mulch.

Products and services

• Plain Farmstead Gouda Award-winning farmstead original plain Gouda cheese with mild taste, creamy texture, and small bubbly eyes, suitable as appetizer, dessert, or cooking cheese. Priced at $9.00/8oz.
• Aged Farmstead Gouda Aged version of the farmstead Gouda cheese with enhanced flavor development from extended maturation. Priced at $11.00/8oz.
• Extra Aged Farmstead Gouda Extra aged version of the farmstead Gouda with concentrated flavor from longer aging period. Priced at $13.00.
• Smoked Farmstead Gouda Naturally smoked version of the farmstead Gouda cheese with a smoky flavor profile.
• Chipotle-Rubbed Farmstead Gouda Farmstead Gouda with chipotle pepper rub, providing a smoky heat kick.
• Ghost Pepper Farmstead Gouda Extra spicy farmstead Gouda made with ghost peppers for intense heat.
• Salsa-Rubbed Farmstead Gouda Bronze Medal Winner at The 2016 Big E Cheese Competition. Farmstead Gouda with salsa-inspired rub.
• Everything Bagel-Rubbed Farmstead Gouda Farmstead Gouda with everything bagel seasoning rub.
• Farmstead Gouda with Garlic Farmstead Gouda infused with garlic for savory flavor.
• Farmstead Gouda with Onion & Chive Farmstead Gouda with onion and chive blend.
• Farmstead Gouda with Cumin Seed (Leyden) A firm, cumin-spiced cheese traditionally made in the town of Leiden, The Netherlands.
• Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Gouda Bronze medal winner in the 2015 Big E Cheese Competition. Farmstead Gouda with sun-dried tomatoes and basil.
• Plain Cheddar Cheese Stick Box 12-count box of plain sharp cheddar cheese sticks made with farm's raw milk, each containing 7g protein, 1g carbs, 130mg sodium, and 0g sugar. Priced at $19.99 per box.
• Chive Cheddar Cheese Stick Box 12-count box of chive cheddar cheese sticks made with farm's raw milk.
• Chili Pepper Cheddar Cheese Stick Box 12-count box of chili pepper cheddar cheese sticks with a spicy kick.
• Smoked Cheddar Cheese Stick Box 12-count box of smoked cheddar cheese sticks.
• Variety Pack Cheddar Cheese Stick Box 12-count variety pack containing 3 sticks each of Sharp, Chive, Smoked, and Chili Pepper cheddar flavors.
• Havarti Cheese Farmstead Havarti cheese made from raw milk from their dairy herd.
• Fresh Farmer's Cheese Fresh farmer's cheese product category made at the farm.
• Cultured Butter Cultured butter product made at the farm.
• Gouda Spreads Whipped Gouda cheese spreads made from farmstead Gouda.
• Gift Boxes Gift boxes for any occasion containing farmstead cheeses.
• Farm Fresh Milk Farm fresh raw milk from the dairy herd, available for purchase.
• Small Charcuterie Board – Up to 5 People Assembled on a 10-inch round environmentally-friendly bamboo board with assorted cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, and accoutrements. Feeds up to 5 people. $30.00. Requires 48-hour advance order.
• Medium Charcuterie Board – Up to 10 People Assembled on a 12-inch round environmentally-friendly bamboo board with assorted cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, and accoutrements. Feeds up to 10 people. $60.00. Requires 48-hour advance order.
• Large Charcuterie Board – Up to 15 People Assembled on a 14-inch round environmentally-friendly bamboo board with assorted cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, and accoutrements. Feeds up to 15 people. $90.00. Requires 48-hour advance order.
• Extra Large Charcuterie Board – Up to 20 People Large charcuterie board designed to feed up to 20 people. $120.00. Requires 48-hour advance order.
• Holiday Deluxe Picnic Plate Deluxe picnic plate option for holiday gatherings. $12.00.
• Otter River Black Gold Compost Organic certified Black Gold Compost in red bags under the Catlin Farmstead sub-brand. Available in one cubic foot bags at $6.00/bag ($5 ea. if buying 3+) or $55/yard bulk. Certified for organic use, PFAS and PFOA FREE.
• Otter River Black Gold Plus Compost Organic certified Black Gold Plus Compost in green bags. $7.00/bag ($6 ea. if buying 5+) or $70/yard bulk.
• Super Soil Premium blend of screen loam and compost, ideal for top dressing lawns. $40/yard.
• Food Scrap Compost Compost made with recycled food and cow manure. $45/yard.
• Cow Manure Fresh, wet cow manure from the farm. $20/yard.
• Moo Mulch Wood chips blended with compost. $25/yard.
• Natural Wood Chips Unprocessed wood chips for landscaping and ground cover.
• Apparel & Merchandise Apparel and merchandise items including branded clothing.
• Cow Yoga Event Unique farm experience event combining yoga with cow interactions to attract visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200 Holstein cows producing milk for cheese production
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jasper Hill Farm: Vermont farmstead creamery producing award-winning raw milk cheeses (including aged Goudas and cheddars) using milk from its own Ayrshire herd. Closest comparable in farmstead model, raw-milk aging approach, and premium specialty retail distribution.
• Vermont Creamery: Artisanal Vermont creamery known for fresh and aged cheeses plus cultured butter, now owned by Land O'Lakes. Comparable in farmstead/artisan positioning, dairy product breadth, and distribution into Whole Foods and other premium grocers.
• Consider Bardwell Farm: Vermont farmstead cheese maker producing raw milk cheeses from its own herd and distributed through specialty grocers and farmers markets. Directly comparable in farmstead raw-milk model, premium pricing, and New England farmers market presence.
• Shelburne Farms: Vermont farmstead cheddar producer operating on a working farm with on-site retail and education programming. Directly comparable as a farmstead cheddar maker with farm-visit experience model and specialty wholesale distribution.
• Rogue Creamery: Oregon farmstead creamery specializing in aged raw milk blue and cheddar-style cheeses with national specialty distribution. Comparable as a farmstead aged-cheese maker with similar raw-milk, multi-channel go-to-market model.
• Grafton Village Cheese: Vermont farmstead cheddar maker with broad aged-cheddar product line and national wholesale distribution. Comparable as a regional New England artisan cheddar brand with multi-channel retail and online sales.

Regional players

• Berkshire Farms Direct / Provisions: Regional aggregator/distributor of New England artisanal cheeses and meats into specialty retailers. Adjacent peer as a regional channel partner serving the same farmstead/artisan retail customers as Smith's Country Cheese.

Broad incumbents

• Cabot Creamery Co-operative: Farmer-owned Vermont dairy cooperative producing a broad line of cheddar and other cheeses distributed nationally. Directly comparable as a New England farmstead/regional dairy brand sitting on the same grocery shelves as Smith's Country Cheese at chains like Hannaford, Stop & Shop, and Whole Foods.

Others

• Hahn Family Wines / Local farmstead cheese aggregators (e.g., Vermont Farmstead Cheese aggregated by regional distributors): Regional specialty cheese distributor and aggregator carrying farmstead brands including Gouda and cheddar into independent retailers. Comparable as a complementary channel partner enabling artisanal cheese distribution without direct retail competition.

Emerging players

• Cabrie's/ Cypress Grove (Marin French Cheese): California artisanal cheese producer with broad specialty cheese portfolio including aged Goudas and cheddars distributed nationally. Comparable as a non-regional artisanal cheese brand competing for the same premium grocery shelf space and gourmet customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuU4nA0AwL2k06LXd75ReVQ?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/SmithsCountryCheese
• Instagraminstagram.com/smithscountrycheese

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Smith's Country Cheese