Best Northeastern American Food Producers
Jasper Hill Farm is a cheese producer located in Greensboro, Vermont. The company specializes in creating high-quality cheeses with a focus on local production and sustainable agricultural practices. Jasper Hill provides aging and affinage services and develops cheeses that showcase the dairy culture of Vermont.
They work closely with small local dairies to produce a variety of cheeses, incorporating unique aging environments to enhance flavor and texture.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022, 2019
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Jasper Hill Farm Cheeses
Wild Orchard is a premium tea company specializing in organic and regeneratively farmed teas, grown on Jeju Island, South Korea. They offer a range of high-quality teas, including green tea, oolong, and matcha, which are all cultivated without the use of sprays, fertilizers, or irrigation.
The farm's unique growing conditions, including volcanic soil, ocean mist, and subtropical rain, contribute to the rich flavor and phytonutrient content of the teas. Wild Orchard focuses on sustainable, organic farming practices to produce exquisite, clean, and delicious teas that cater to health-conscious consumers.
AWARDS
Golden Leaf Awards - Gold
2023, 2021
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
Great Taste Awards - 1 Star
2022
BEST Wild Orchard Tea Company Teas and Herbal Infusions
Founded in 2000 by Diane St. Clair in Orwell, Vermont, Animal Farm Creamery quickly gained cult status among top chefs, including those at The French Laundry and Per Se, where its butter became an essential ingredient in fine dining. Animal Farm Creamery employs the best traditional dairy methods, producing handcrafted cultured butter made from fresh, raw milk, collected directly from the farm.
The butter is churned and shaped by hand, giving it an exceptional texture, rich dairy flavor, and delicate aroma. In addition to butter, the creamery also produces high-quality cream, which is regionally distributed through Provisions International.
BEST Animal Farm Creamery Butters
La Quercia is a distinguished American producer of cured meats, founded in 2005 by Herb and Kathy Eckhouse. Their mission is to craft premium-quality charcuterie, such as prosciutto and pancetta, using responsibly sourced ingredients and proprietary recipes.
Their inspiration came from over three years spent living in Parma, Italy, where they witnessed firsthand how high-quality ingredients are transformed into exquisite local cured meats. The pork used by La Quercia comes from sustainable farms, primarily raised and processed within 200 miles of their facility.
BEST La Quercia Meat Products
Murray's Cheese, based in New York City, is a prominent gourmet cheese and specialty foods retailer and wholesaler, with a rich history dating back to its founding in Greenwich Village in 1962. Known for its wide selection of cheeses from around the globe, Murray's operates not only a flagship store but also a restaurant and cheese bar in New York.
They are notable for their state-of-the-art cheese caves in Long Island City where they age their own cheese. In 2017, Murray's became part of the Kroger Company, expanding its reach nationwide through over a thousand Kroger stores. Murray's is also committed to community involvement, supporting local charities and educational initiatives related to food and wellness.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016
BEST Murray's Cheese Cheeses
Originally focused on making artisanal cheese and butter, the company has become well-known for its high-quality dairy products, including goat cheese, cultured butter, and crème fraîche. Vermont Creamery sources its milk from local family farms, ensuring sustainable and ethical practices.
The creamery has been a pioneer in the American artisan cheese industry and was acquired by Land O'Lakes in 2017, a move that helped it expand its reach and continue its growth.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2010
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Vermont Creamery Cheeses
Island Creek Oysters is a renowned oyster farm located in Duxbury, Massachusetts, known for its high-quality, sustainably farmed oysters. Founded in 1992, the farm has built a strong reputation for producing some of the best oysters in the United States, thanks to its prime location along the coast of Duxbury Bay, which provides ideal conditions for growing oysters.
The oysters at Island Creek are known for their clean, crisp flavor, which comes from the natural, nutrient-rich waters of Duxbury Bay. The oysters are cultivated using traditional methods that emphasize sustainability and environmental stewardship.
BEST Island Creek Oysters Seafood
Grafton Village Cheese, based in Grafton, Vermont, specializes in the production of artisanal cheddar cheese. This company is a part of the nonprofit Windham Foundation, which focuses on promoting Vermont's rural communities. Grafton Village Cheese uses traditional techniques and raw milk from local Jersey cows to craft its cheeses.
Their offerings range from aged cheddars to limited edition flavors.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022, 2019
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009
BEST Grafton Village Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011
BEST Ruggles Hill Creamery Cheeses
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2019, 2018, 2014, 2013, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2014
BEST Old Chatham Creamery Cheeses
Best Northeastern American Food Products
Hudson Flower is an artisanal cheese, typically produced in the Hudson Valley region of New York. This cheese is characterized by its creamy texture and rich flavor, with subtly sweet notes that develop during the aging process. It is often used in various culinary applications but can also be served as part of a cheese platter alongside fruits and nuts.
Its excellent melting properties make it a great choice for pizzas and other dishes that require melted cheese.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2022, 2019, 2017
Bonne Bouche is an acclaimed aged goat cheese produced by Vermont Creamery in Websterville, Vermont, USA. This cheese is known for its distinctive ash-ripened rind that develops a creamy and robust flavor as it ages. Initially aged for 10 days, Bonne Bouche can continue to mature for up to 90 days, becoming softer and more piquant over time.
It's made from pasteurized goat's milk sourced from small family farms, both local and Canadian, and is celebrated for its wrinkly, geotrichum-rind, giving it a unique texture and appearance.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2018, 2013, 2010, 2001
Greensward from Murray's Cheese is a distinctive soft cheese that showcases the collaborative efforts of Murray's Cheese and Jasper Hill Farm. Greensward has a creamy texture that's enhanced by wrapping it in spruce bark. This cheese, which has won several awards, including recognition from the American Cheese Society, is noted for its bold and creamy taste with hints of mushrooms, brandied cherries, and woodsy spruce notes.
The cheese is washed in cider during its aging process, which contributes to its unique flavor profile. Each round of Greensward is aged in Murray’s caves, where it develops a delicate pungency and a spoonable texture that has become a favorite among cheese lovers.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2022, 2017, 2016
Bijou is a type of aged goat cheese produced by Vermont Creamery, known for its artisanal dairy products. Bijou, meaning "jewel" in French, reflects the small, precious nature of this cheese. It is characterized by its delicate, wrinkled rind and creamy, dense interior that becomes more complex in flavor as it ages.
Typically, Bijou has a mildly tangy, slightly sweet taste with earthy undertones, making it a versatile option for cheese boards, salads, or cooking. The cheese is hand-rolled and aged to ensure consistency and quality, showcasing the creamery’s dedication to traditional cheese-making techniques.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2019, 2016, 2015, 2014
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2009, 2007, 2006
Cabot Jalapeno 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar is a product made by Cabot Creamery. It is known for its robust flavor, offering the classic taste of cheddar infused with the spicy kick of jalapeno peppers. This cheese is a healthier option with 50% less fat compared to regular cheddar cheese, making it appealing for those who are looking to reduce their fat intake without compromising on taste.
The combination of creamy texture and spicy undertones makes it a versatile ingredient, suitable for a variety of culinary uses such as sandwiches, snacks, and more.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2013, 2012, 2009
Alpha Tolman is a cheese produced by the Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm, which is well known for its artisanal cheeses. Alpha Tolman is inspired by Alpine-style cheeses and is crafted from the raw milk of local herds. This cheese has a buttery, fruity, and nutty flavor profile, developing more robust meaty and nutty notes as it ages.
The texture is dense and pliable, making it ideal for melting. Alpha Tolman is typically aged for 8-12 months, allowing its distinct characteristics to fully develop. It is named after a philanthropic dairy farmer from Vermont, reflecting the product’s deep regional and historical roots.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2022, 2019
Calderwood is a unique variety of aged cheese crafted by Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm. It is made from raw cow's milk and is known for its complex, nutty flavor profile. The cheese is notable for being coated in hay, a traditional method that imparts a distinctive aroma and taste.
This type of aging process results in a firm texture and evolves flavors as the cheese matures. Calderwood has been recognized in various cheese competitions, further establishing its reputation among connoisseurs.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2018
Vermont Goats' Milk Feta, made by Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery, is a type of feta cheese crafted primarily from fresh, high-quality goats' milk. This cheese is known for its creamy yet crumbly texture and its tangy, slightly salty flavor profile, which makes it versatile for various culinary applications such as salads, sandwiches, and Mediterranean dishes.
This artisan cheese is produced in small batches, ensuring close attention to detail and quality.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2016, 2014, 2012, 2004
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2013, 2008
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Northeastern American Foods” list until April 20, 2025, 12,409 ratings were recorded, of which 11,294 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.