Cheese Ministry & Beef Ministry introduced into Page County in 2021

Local business Rockingham Cooperative, in partnership with Page Cooperative and several other local community partners, is pleased to introduce the Cheese Ministry & Beef Ministry into Page County with a donation occurring on Tuesday, December 14th at Page One in Luray, Virginia.

The Cheese Ministry is an effort originated in 2017 by Rockingham Cooperative, in partnership with Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Verona Food Pantry, and other local community organizations, to support local dairy farmers during a difficult time in the dairy industry as well as supply local food pantries with nutritious cheese products that will provide individuals and families in need with a healthy dairy source. The first order of cheese, delivered in February of 2018, included 10 tons of premium mozzarella and provolone cheese with an estimated retail value of over
$233,000. The Cheese Ministry utilizes its purchasing power to buy trailer-load volume of milk to maximize every donor dollar. Cheese was donated to over 40 community organizations across Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina where the need was greatest. Since the initial donation, over $1,000,000 in retail value of high-quality cheese has been donated to help feed those less fortunate in our communities.

The Beef Ministry operates under similar principles, but focuses on partnering with local beef producers to give a portion of their retail margin for their ground hamburger and finding business/community sponsors to contribute for the cost of the beef. Only USDA inspected beef is sourced for donations, providing a high-quality safe product for those in need.

“We are thrilled to partner with Page Cooperative and Marlow Ford this holiday season to expand The Cheese Ministry and Beef Ministry into Page County. Both of these programs have tremendous potential to alleviate a great burden faced by families and individuals that have fallen on hard times during these winter months. We appreciate Page One for serving as our catalyst to distribute these fresh products across the Page Valley communities.” – Adam Ford, Rockingham Cooperative Marketing Manager & Farm Ministry Volunteer

The Beef & Cheese Ministries are programs operating under The Farm Ministry, whose mission is to connect agricultural producers with those less fortunate in the communities they live in. The Farm Ministry is a mission endorsed by Rockingham Cooperative s Senior Leadership and Board of Directors. More information about The Farm Ministry can be found at www.thefarmministry.org.