Secretary of State visits Food Pioneers, The Wensleydale Creamery

The Wensleydale Creamery, home of the famous Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, welcomed the Rt. Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Friday 23rd October, to see the art of cheese-making in the Yorkshire Dales and sample our range of award-winning cheeses, butter and yogurt.

The ministerial visit highlighted the important economic contribution of rural food producers and announced the expansion Yorkshire Dales National Park by 24%.

The visit came at a significant milestone for us as we near completion of a major £5 million investment in our Creamery and visitor experience, which welcomes over 250,000 visitors a year.

The Secretary of State enjoyed a tour of the new Creamery, seeing Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese being hand-crafted, and also tasted cheese with David Hartley, our Managing Director, in the Maturing Room. The visit was rounded off with a tasting menu of homemade dishes featuring some of our award-winning cheeses in Calvert’s Restaurant, at our Visitor Centre.

On 3^rd November David was invited to attend the official launch of the Great British Food campaign, being recognised as a Food Pioneer. The campaign, led by the Secretary of State, will raise the profile of and champion the best of British food and drink.

David Hartley commented: “It was fantastic to welcome the Secretary of State to the Wensleydale Creamery and for her to acknowledge the important role that rural food producers, like ourselves, play in promoting food tourism, boosting the local economy, providing jobs to rural communities and supporting the sustainability of farming locally.

“We wholeheartedly support the Great British Food campaign and are delighted to be recognised as Food Pioneers, helping other British food and drink businesses to achieve the acknowledgement that they so deserve.”