Flavor, aroma, texture and exterior and interior appearance. These were some of the criteria evaluated by Brazilian and foreign jurors, recognized worldwide, who evaluated and awarded bronze medals to three cheeses from family farmers in the Far South of Bahia: the Bahia Maturado cheese from Recanto do Queijo, from Vereda, the Doce de Leite from Fazenda Matriarca, from Caravelas, and the Traditional Braided Cheese from Queijo Florida, from Lajedão.
In a dispute with 2,000 cheeses, sweet milk and curds, the winning cheeses in the Cheese and Dairy Products Competition, at the 3rd Cheese World Cup, held in São Paulo, have the support of the State Government in partnership with the Intermunicipal Public Consortium and Infrastructure of the Far South of Bahia (Consórcio Construir) through the implementation, operationalization and operation of the Municipal Inspection Service (SIM), a service responsible for the industrial and sanitary inspection and supervision of products of animal origin.
The implementation of SIM in these locations improved the processes and quality of medalist cheeses such as Recanto do Queijo, from family farmer Sérgio Porto.
“My dairy was completely readjusted to receive the YES seal and today I earn my livelihood and that of my family from the production and sale of nine types of cheese. Among the modifications, we changed the entire dairy plant and implemented sanitary barriers, coverings and bathrooms. My feeling is gratitude for the medal and because we can see that our cheese from the Far South is being more valued”, he celebrated.
Braided Cheese, traditional from Lajedão, is preparing to reach new heights with SIM, currently being implemented there. Family farmer Deivid Brito spoke about the importance of advances in marketing based on the seal.
“With the seal, the quality of the product and sales will greatly improve, because we will become a cheese factory. This medal is very gratifying for us because it is a recognition of how strong we are here in the Far South”, reinforced Deivid.
The executive secretary of Consórcio Construir, Alessandra Barros, highlighted the importance of CAR’s investments in cheese production in the region.
“The family farmer today is legalized through the SIM and believes in his product, thanks to investments in partnership with CAR, both in the implementation of the SIM and in the delivery of the cheesemaking kit, which took place in Recanto do Queijo. So, when we arrive at supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants today and see the consumption of certified products, it is very gratifying”, said the secretary.
In total, through CAR, 163 family agribusinesses are certified by SIM and 941 products have the Inspection Seal. Of these, 40% are agribusinesses related to dairy products.
