A family-owned farm in Marion County doesn’t sound like the typical location for a national cheese company, but Jason Wiebe Dairy is just that.
Located in Durham, the Wiebes ship cheeses to more than 16 states across the country.
The products are very popular, and customers will visit Dale’s Supermarket just for the cheese, owner Dale Franz said.
“There are people who come in from all around,” he said. “They’ve had it somewhere and they come in because they’re specifically looking for a certain cheese.”
The store has featured Wiebe cheeses for three years, Franz said.
“It’s something that promotes the area, more local stuff that promotes,” he said. “We try to do that with as many things as possible that come locally.”
The Wiebes received a state permit to sell cheese in 2003. Prior to that, they sold raw cheese from their home in small portions under the state’s raw milk laws.
They now sell two tons per month, but it is a meticulous process to find the right balance.
(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)