A FAMILY-RUN Yorkshire cheesemaker is celebrating after two award-winning cheeses secured a nationwide supermarket listing.
Shepherds Purse has launched Harrogate Blue and Yorkshire Blue in more than 300 Morrisons stores across the UK. The launch is the company’s first major brand refresh in more than a decade, with both cheeses in new 150g packs.
Caroline Bell, joint managing director of Shepherds Purse, said: "British cheese is some of the best in the world, and our ambition has always been to share it with as many people as possible.
"Seeing Harrogate Blue go nationwide alongside Yorkshire Blue is a real milestone for a family business like ours.
"We’ve worked with our local retailer, Morrisons, for more than 25 years, so it’s exciting that they’re the first to launch our new packs nationwide.
"We’ve spent two years getting this format right – meaning it’s more sustainable, it keeps the cheese at its best for longer, and it helps us work more efficiently as demand keeps growing. Most of all, we hope it helps more shoppers discover how good a British creamy blue can be."
Morrisons was an early supporter, first stocking Yorkshire Blue in its Yorkshire stores in the early 2000s before adding it to national Market Street cheese counters. More than 20 years later, Morrisons customers across the UK can buy a second Shepherds Purse cheese in stores.
Bethan Oliver, speciality cheese buyer at Morrisons, said: "We’re proud to build on our 25-year partnership with Shepherds Purse by bringing Harrogate Blue and Yorkshire Blue to our stores.
"Our customers love exceptional regional cheeses, and being first to offer these award-winning favourites in eco-friendly packaging just in time for Christmas is a fantastic win for our customers."
The new packs use a recyclable tray and cardboard sleeve designed to extend shelf life, improve usability and stand out on shelves.
Judy Bell MBE founded Shepherds Purse in the 1980s. Her daughters, Caroline Bell and Katie Matten, now run the company, which makes ten handcrafted cheeses from cow’s, organic cow’s, sheep’s and water buffalo milk. Its cheeses have won awards in national and international competitions.
Shepherds Purse cheeses are sold by major UK retailers including M&S, Waitrose and Booths, as well as farm shops, independent delis, specialist cheese retailers and online.
The Morrisons listing will put the brand in front of more shoppers and help it bring British blue cheese to a wider audience.