Prairie Farms Dairy is one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the United States. Founded in 1938, it operates as a cooperative, meaning it is owned by dairy farmers who supply the milk and other dairy products. Prairie Farms Dairy produces a wide range of dairy products, including milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt, and distributes them across a large portion of the United States.
The cooperative's business model is centered around supporting local dairy farmers while offering high-quality, fresh dairy products to consumers. Prairie Farms Dairy is known for its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare, as well as for using advanced technologies in dairy farming to ensure the quality of their products.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2012)
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, located in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, is primarily known for its production of cheese curds. Established in 1910, the creamery initially started as a butter producer but later expanded its offerings to include cheeses. It is especially famous for its fresh cheese curds, which are a popular snack in the region. The creamery sources its milk from local farms, ensuring a supply of fresh, high-quality dairy products.
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is a family and farmer-owned cooperative, dedicated to supporting the local agricultural community and preserving traditional production methods. Their products have received awards at both domestic and international competitions, and the creamery continually innovates in production to ensure top quality, freshness, and the authentic flavor of their cheeses.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024, 2022)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
(2025, 2024, 2022, 2015)
Decatur Dairy, located in Brodhead, Wisconsin, is a cheese producer known for its award-winning specialty cheeses, including varieties such as Havarti, Muenster, and Brick. The company is led by Master Cheesemaker Steve Stettler, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Decatur Dairy stands out for its focus on craftsmanship and tradition in cheese production.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024, 2022, 2016, 2012)
Nordic Creamery, located in Westby, Wisconsin, is a cheese producer that focuses on crafting artisan cheeses and butter using milk from local cows, goats, and sheep. The company is committed to sustainable practices, including the use of non-GMO feed for their animals. Additionally, Nordic Creamery has won several awards for its products at national cheese competitions.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024)
Klondike Cheese is a family-owned creamery from the heart of Wisconsin, led for generations by the Buholzer family. Their tradition blends artisanal dedication with modern technology, grounded in carefully selected milk from local farms and the highest quality standards. The result is a line of products distinguished by reliability, pure dairy flavor, and consistent texture.
Their classic cheeses, such as Havarti, Gouda, Brick, and Muenster, stand out for their versatility and rich taste. Whether served on an elegant cheese board, incorporated into favorite dishes, or simply enjoyed melted, Klondike cheeses always deliver the perfect balance of tradition and modern flavor.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2010)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
(2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004)
Pine River, based in Newton, specializes in the production of cheese spreads. The company has a history dating back to the 1960s. Pine River uses aged Wisconsin cheddar in their products, and their offerings include a variety of flavors such as sharp cheddar, Swiss with almonds, and jalapeño.
Pine River is a family-owned company that over the decades has established itself as one of the leading American producers of high-quality cheese spreads. Their philosophy is based on using premium milk and traditional recipes combined with modern technologies, which has earned them numerous awards at national and international cheese competitions. They are especially known for their “cold pack” cheese spreads, which are prepared without melting to preserve the natural flavor and texture of the aged cheese.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
(2025, 2024, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006)
Hook's Cheese is a family-owned artisanal creamery located in the historic Shake Rag district of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. It was founded by Tony and Julie Hook in 1976, and since 1987 has operated from their facility in Mineral Point, situated in the hills formed during the mining era. Their philosophy focuses on producing high-quality cheeses in small batches, using milk from local farms with cows, sheep, and goats.
Among their most well-known products are aged Cheddar cheeses, with aging periods ranging from 2 to 15 years, distinguished by their rich and complex flavors. Hook's Cheese is recognized for its dedication to artisanal production and for preserving the cheese-making traditions of Wisconsin.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
(2025, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2006)
Nasonville Dairy is a cheese producer located in Wisconsin. This family-operated business has been producing cheese since 1885. They offer a wide range of cheese types, including feta, cheddar, and mozzarella. The facility processes over half a million pounds of milk each day to create their cheese products.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2024)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
(2024, 2023)
Crave Brothers is a family-owned dairy company located in Waterloo, Wisconsin, USA. It was founded by brothers Charles, George, Tom, and Mark Crave, who grew up on a farm with 40 cows in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 1980, they purchased a farm in Waterloo where they began producing milk, and in 2001 they opened a cheese-making facility. Today, the company is owned by the fourth generation of the family, including Andy and Patrick Crave.
Crave Brothers produces high-quality cheeses using exclusively milk from their own farm. Their production is based on sustainability principles: they use 100% green energy generated on the farm and apply biodigesters to process manure and wastewater, producing more energy than needed for the dairy and farm operations. This approach makes them a company with a negative carbon footprint. Their milk comes from Holstein cows fed with locally grown corn, alfalfa, and soy, cared for individually and raised in fresh air.
Awards
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
(2022, 2020, 2018)
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
(2025, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2003)
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 12 Midwestern American Dairy Products” list until June 15, 2026, 0 ratings were recorded, of which 0 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.
The initial list of top producers was compiled based on available reviews, awards, local recommendations, media and blog coverage, and consumer reviews.
The list will be updated with ratings from TasteAtlas local ambassadors and TasteAtlas users.
