Cropwell Bishop Creamery, who manufacture award-winning Blue Stilton, Organic Blue Stilton, Blue Shropshire, White Stilton and speciality cheeses at their creamery in the Vale of Belvoir in Nottinghamshire, have stepped in and offered milk supply contracts to twelve family farms across Derbyshire securing their future as milk producers.

Demonstrating their commitment to a sustainable supply chain, Cropwell Bishop Creamery is offering a premium milk price. In addition, they are funding a series of technical and business management workshops for the group on an ongoing basis, which will be delivered and managed by leading industry consultancy, Kite Consulting.

Commenting on the development Ian Skailes of Cropwell Bishop Creamery said:
“The sad failure of Dairy Farmers of Britain left many family farms without a milk buyer and in a difficult financial position having lost their May milk cheque. As a family-owned specialist cheese maker we are delighted to have been able to offer some of these family farms a secure long-term future.

“We are committed to having a sustainable supply of high quality milk and our competitive milk prices combined with ongoing advice on best practice provided by experienced Kite consultants will help these farmers look forward with optimism. What’s more, the quality of milk from these farms has already been proven, as Blue Shropshire cheese made with their milk has this week won Best Blue Cheese and Reserve Supreme Champion at the 2009 Great Yorkshire Show.”

Adding support to the development, Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, Chief Dairy Adviser at the NFU, commented:
“This is excellent news, not least because it alleviates the pressure and uncertainty for these farmers following the collapse of DFB, but also because it is a positive example of establishing long term relationships and partnerships in the cheese sector, an area which sadly, has not been paid as much attention as the liquid sector in recent years and is identified as a priority in the NFU’s Survival Plan for British Dairying.”