Discover the latest tasty treats to join Saputo USA’s expansive product portfolio
Part of Saputo Inc., one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, Saputo USA produces, markets, and distributes cheese and dairy products. It converts, markets, and sells a broad range of specialty cheeses and holds import licenses for specialty cheeses manufactured abroad. Saputo USA also produces a variety of dairy and non-dairy extended shelf-life products, and produces, markets, and distributes dairy ingredients in the USA and on the international market. Ranking among the top three US cheese producers, Saputo USA is one of the largest producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. Loved by consumers, Saputo USA’s products are sold under a variety of market-leading brand names, such as Montchevre, Treasure Cave, Saputo Gold, and Stella.
“In the early 1950s,” begins a Saputo spokesperson, “the Saputo family left their hometown of Montelepre, Sicily, to start a new life in Canada. In 1954, with only $500 for equipment and a bicycle for deliveries, the Saputo family founded their very own company bearing their name. After decades of considerable growth throughout Canada, the company entered the US market in 1988. Today, Saputo USA is the largest of the company’s global sectors and is the number one domestic blue cheese, string cheese, and goat cheese manufacturer in the US.”
Since the company’s founding, strong values and unwavering passion have enabled it to reach new heights. Executive Chair of the Board, Lino A. Saputo elaborates: “Saputo USA is the sum of the hard work and know-how of thousands of employees who breathe life and passion into their everyday work. They are the secret to our success.” All dairy processors have access to the same raw material and equipment, what distinguishes Saputo USA, however, is its can-do spirit and diverse, inclusive work culture that empowers employees to grow in their own way.
“A pillar of our Saputo Promise, food quality and safety, is at the center of everything we do,” the Saputo spokesperson continues. “We manage our business with harmonized standards across all our operations that focus on the goodness of our ingredients and that adhere to safe processing methods. To achieve this, we have a continuous improvement mindset where we review our procedures regularly to ensure they meet or exceed the latest legal requirements and industry best practices. Our facilities worldwide are audited internally and by third parties several times per year to assess compliance with local laws and regulations, as well as with international industry standards.”
Alongside this, Saputo USA believes supplier relationships are vital to its ability to make high-quality products. The company, therefore, aims to build strong, sustainable, and lasting partnerships with suppliers across the value chain and work collaboratively to uphold responsible business practices.
“Our goal,” the Saputo spokesperson shares, “is to safeguard the environment while continuing to grow as a world-class dairy processor. Since publicly declaring its Environmental Pledges in 2020, Saputo has been diligently addressing climate change concerns. The company has allocated $70 million in capital investment, funding over 65 projects aimed at mitigating the carbon, energy, and water intensities of its operations. In fiscal 2024, our carbon intensity decreased by five percent compared to fiscal 2023 and 18 percent compared to our fiscal 2020 baseline. In addition, Saputo recently entered into a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Capital Power, pertaining to their Canadian-based wind facility. The portion of the wind facility contracted by Saputo will generate approximately 206,300 MWh of renewable electricity per year. The new VPPA will ultimately cut down Saputo’s global CO₂ footprint by 13 percent (against its fiscal 2020 baseline). Saputo remains steadfast in collaborating with farmers, milk suppliers, and industry experts to combat climate change and ensure sustainable dairy production practices.” 
With a diversified product portfolio, Saputo USA caters to different diets and preferences. Alongside import licenses for specialty cheeses manufactured abroad, products manufactured in the US under customer brand names, and under the company’s own brands, Saputo USA also collaborates with external partners to drive growth and innovation.
The company continually innovates to update its product portfolio. “New Saputo USA innovations launching soon include a Montchevre collaboration with Mike’s Hot Honey,” Jenny Englert, Marketing Director, Saputo USA divulges. “The Montchevre’s tangy, cool fresh goat cheese has met its match in the sweet heat of Mike’s Hot Honey. Now, the two brands are teaming up to bring this kicked up combo to consumers nationwide.”
The new product will hit the shelves in September 2024. According to Jenny: “Two high demand brands coming together to bring an innovative new flavor to consumers is a match made in cheese heaven. The combo of this beloved sweet heat paired with our delicious goat cheese is unmatched.” This collaboration is indicative of the consistent ‘sweet and heat’ ingredient pairings trending across the category, designed to appeal to the more adventurous food and flavor palettes. Mike Kurtz, Founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, adds: “At Mike’s Hot Honey we believe everything is better with the perfect kick of sweet heat. Goat cheese has always been one of my favorite foods to drizzle Mike’s Hot Honey on, so I’m excited for this collaboration to hit grocery shelves later this year so everyone can enjoy this delicious flavor combination too.”
“Another new product to tantalize tastebuds,” enthuses Jenny, “is the Montchevre Goat Gouda, which pairs a smooth, creamy texture with a mild goat-milk tang giving this cheese a twist on your typical Gouda! Finally, Treasure Cave is launching a new mild, creamy blue cheese for the blue-curious consumer to ease entry and build consideration for the blue cheese category. This product will be launched as Treasure Cave Mild Blue Cheese. The new Mild Blue line of products is an entry point into blue cheese for consumers who might be turned off by the sharp taste and texture of traditional blue cheese.”
Saputo USA has come a long way since its first days of delivering cheese on a bicycle. Today, the company creates better ways to make delicious, quality-first dairy products while growing a business that feeds and supports its neighbors around the world.