Eating Cheese and Drinking Beer for Charity: Don’t Miss This!
The crisis that artisan food producers found themselves in because of the coronavirus pandemic—namely, no longer being able to sell their often exceptionally delicious products—has affected more than just producers abroad. Here in our own North Brabant, a special group of cheesemakers also ran into serious trouble…
We previously wrote about similar news involving French cheese monks, who explained it simply: you can’t tell a cow that there’s a crisis and that it should just pause milk production for a while. They, too, were left with a huge cheese surplus, and the same thing happened to these dedicated friars from Berkel-Enschot:
Hit hard
The closure of shops and the lockdowns that forced restaurants and tasting rooms to close were a major blow to Koningshoeven Abbey. Sales of their artisan cheeses came to a standstill, resulting in an overflowing cellar but no income. Brother Isaac explains: “We desperately need the income from our cheese sales. Not for ourselves, but for the people of Ssanje in Uganda, whom we have always supported with it.”
Help from an unexpected source
Fortunately, the organization ‘Maakt Mij Blij’ brought the problem to people’s attention. These are the same people who used their marketing and tech expertise to help when the sisters of Sint Catharinadal Monastery were left with a huge surplus of homemade wine because of the coronavirus crisis. Successfully! And they also know what to do with the goodies made by the brothers from Berkel-Enschot: they’re offering them for sale to consumers through a clear, easy-to-use website. People can pick them up at the abbey themselves, but delivery throughout the country is also possible.
Do good, feel good
The proceeds will allow them to continue working on one of their wonderful charity projects: setting up a primary school in Uganda. Prices for the cheese packages start at €26.50, but don’t let that put you off; you get a huge 700-gram piece of cheese and a giant bottle (75cl) of Trappist beer! You can also choose a package that includes homemade cheese biscuits and a jar of honey from the abbey. And believe us: for that price, you’ll have a much more enjoyable cheese board and drinks spread than if you bought everything at the supermarket. It’s local, made with love, and you’re doing some good too. Win-win-win, right?!
Through this link, you can read the entire heartwarming story and order the cheese—and we hope everyone reading this will do so!
Read also:
- Have you tried these delicious new French cheeses yet?
- How a very special ice cream saved a farm
- Calling all cheese lovers! The first Amsterdam Cheese Festival is coming
