CHEESE

How to Store Cheese (like a cheese shop)

How to Take Care of Cheese Like a Cheese Superhero

Cheese is a special snack, and knowing how to take care of it is super important. Those tasty little blocks in your fridge need just the right amount of air and moisture to stay fresh and yummy. This is why cheese doesn’t like living in plastic wrap—it needs to breathe! Taking care of cheese is easy, and when you do it right, it will taste even better. Here’s a simple guide to keeping your cheese happy and delicious, plus how long it stays good to eat!

How to Take Care of Cheese Like a Cheese Friend

Cheese is kind of like a little living thing—it needs air and just the right amount of moisture to stay happy and tasty! It might seem easy to leave your cheese in the plastic it came in, but cheese likes a cozy home where it can breathe. Taking care of your cheese is super simple and only takes a few minutes. If you treat your cheese nicely, it will taste extra yummywhen you eat it. Let’s learn how to be the best cheese friend ever!

3 REASONS WHY CHEESE DOESN’T LIKE PLASTIC WRAP

1. CHEESE CAN’T BREATHE 

Cheese needs to breathe, just like you! If you wrap it in plastic, it gets stuck with no air, and that makes it sad. A sad cheese won’t taste as yummy, and it might feel funny when you eat it.

2. TOO MUCH WATER MAKES CHEESE SOGGY 

Cheese needs just the right amount of moisture to stay happy. Plastic wrap traps too much water inside, making cheese slimy, stinky (not the fun kind), and a little gross.

3. CHEESE DOESN’T LIKE BRIGHT LIGHTS 

Plastic wrap lets in light, and aged cheeses don’t like it! Too much light can change their flavor, making them taste weird, like crayons—not fun for anyone.

Give your cheese the right kind of home, and it will stay tasty and fresh for longer

How to Keep Your Cheese Happy and Fresh

1. CHECK THE DATE BEFORE YOU BUY 

Sometimes cheese comes in plastic wrap from the store, and that’s okay for a little while. Cheese is good at holding its breath, but not for too long! When you’re buying cheese, check the date to make sure it hasn’t been in the plastic too long. If it looks fresh with no weird spots or cracks, it’s ready to come home with you!

2. TAKE OFF THE PLASTIC WRAP RIGHT AWAY 

When you get home, help your cheese breathe by unwrapping it from the plastic. Let it relax for a few minutes! If it’s a firm cheese and smells a little funny from the fridge, you can gently scrape off the shiny layer with a clean butter knife.

3. WRAP IT IN CHEESE PAPER OR PARCHMENT PAPER 

Cheese likes to be cozy but breathable. Use special cheese paper if you have it, or parchment paper with a loose Ziploc bag. Leave a little bit of air in the bag so your cheese gets the oxygen it needs to stay fresh. Make sure all the edges are wrapped up tight so your cheese doesn’t dry out.

4. DON’T WORRY ABOUT A LITTLE MOLD 

Cheese is alive, and sometimes tiny spots of mold might show up. That’s okay! You can scrape off the fuzzy bits with a knife, and it’s good as new. But if you have fresh cheese (like cream cheese or ricotta), and you see mold, it’s best to throw it away to stay safe.

Take care of your cheese, and it will taste amazing every time you snack!

How Long Does Cheese Stay Fresh?

Now that you know how to keep your cheese comfy, let’s talk about how long it stays yummy! This depends on the kind of cheese and how big the piece is. Smaller pieces don’t last as long, so it’s best to only buy what you need for a week, eat it quickly, and then get more. Cheese is happiest when it’s fresh and tasty!

Here’s how long different kinds of cheese usually last:

Fresh Cheeses, like ricotta: 1-3 days
These are super fresh and should be eaten quickly after opening. Otherwise, they’ll get sour! Feta cheese is an exception because it’s stored in salty water, which helps it stay good for months.

Bloomy Rind Soft Cheeses with a White Rind, like brie: 5-10 days
Cheeses like brie ripen until you cut them open. Once you do, they’ll start to get old faster. If your brie is new, you might have a little extra time to eat it. But if it’s close to its expiration date, enjoy it soon!

Washed Rind Smelly Cheeses, like Taleggio: 1-2 weeks
These cheeses can be squishy or firm. Squishy ones go bad faster because they’re wetter, but firmer ones can stay fresh a bit longer.

Aged Hard Cheeses, like Gruyère: 3-6 weeks
The harder the cheese, the longer it lasts! Big chunks of cheese like Parmigiano can stay fresh for months. Just remember to check for mold every week, and eat it sooner for the best flavor.

Blue Cheeses, like Stilton: 1-2 weeks
Soft blue cheeses last about a week, but firmer ones can stick around a bit longer. Keep an eye on them and enjoy while they’re still fresh.

Remember: Cheese is special, and every kind is different. If you’re not sure, just check how it looks and smells. Happy snacking!

PARTNER

Ryse

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And they’re only getting started. With plans to expand internationally and partnerships with major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s, RYSE is set to become a household name in the rapidly growing smart home market.

Now, you have the chance to invest for just $1.75 per share and join a company poised for explosive growth.

Invest now before the round closes—opportunities like this don’t wait!

SNACKS

The Shelf Life of Small-Batch Sustainable Snacks

Now that you’ve stocked up on your favorite Farm2Me finds, let’s talk about how to keep them fresh and enjoy them at their best. The shelf life of small-batch, sustainable snacks often depends on the type of product, how it’s packaged, and the ingredients used. Since many of these items are free of preservatives, it’s best to buy what you need, savor it quickly, and restock to enjoy the freshest flavors.

Here’s a general guide for how long different types of sustainable snacks last and how to store them for optimal freshness:

Fresh Items, like small-batch hummus or dips: 3-5 days
Made without artificial preservatives, fresh dips and spreads are best enjoyed shortly after opening. If you don’t plan to finish them right away, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate to slow oxidation. For brands like Little Sesame or Chef Anthony’s Smoked Fish, check the packaging for freshness tips.

Baked Goods, like artisanal bread or cookies: 3-7 days
Sustainable baked goods often skip the stabilizers, meaning they’re tastiest right out of the oven or within the first few days. Store bread in a paper bag at room temperature to keep the crust crisp. For longer storage, freeze slices and toast them as needed. For cookies, an airtight container will preserve their texture. Think brands like Horton House GF Bakery for treats with a conscious twist.

Jarred and Preserved Goods, like pickles or jams: 1-3 months (opened)
Jars of small-batch goodness, such as those from K’s European Jams, can last a few months after opening if kept refrigerated. Just use a clean spoon to avoid introducing bacteria. If you want to take it a step further, fresh squeeze some lemon juice and remix with clean spoon, then boil the closed glass jar for 20 minutes in boiling water. These are pantry heroes.

Dried Goods, like granola or crackers: 2-3 weeks (after opening)
Without preservatives, snacks like Bjorn Qorn or Granola Chik stay fresh longer if sealed tightly after each use. Transfer to a glass jar for a longer shelf life and a zero-waste storage option. Mush better than the plastic bag it comes in.

Fermented Foods, like kimchi or sauerkraut: 1-2 months (opened)
These probiotic-packed products, such as those from Salt and Savour, often have a longer shelf life due to their natural fermentation process. Keep them refrigerated and ensure the lid is tightly sealed between uses.

Chocolate and Confections, like bean-to-bar chocolates: 3-6 months
Craft chocolates, like those from Fine & Raw, often use minimal ingredients and no artificial preservatives. Store them in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and humidity for the best flavor. If you see a bit of bloom (the white coating that sometimes forms), don’t worry—it’s harmless and doesn’t affect the taste.

Nuts and Seeds, like small-batch trail mixes: 2-4 weeks
Keep items like Karma Nuts fresh by transferring them to airtight containers or refrigerating them. Glass is best and easier to clean than. lastic. pThis prevents oils from going rancid, especially for blends with added dried fruits.

DISCLAIMER:
This guide was not sponsored by any brand or company, and all opinions expressed are my own. As a Farm2Me advocate, I stand behind the quality of these products and recommend them wholeheartedly. Whenever you shop small-batch and sustainable, you’re supporting makers who care about quality, community, and the planet.

This adaptation mirrors the original tone and structure while using Farm2Me’s focus on sustainable and small-batch brands. Let me know if you’d like to refine further!

NEW PRODUCTS

Newly Launched Farm2Me

• Couplet Coffee – Coffee Bean Roaster, Los Angeles, CA, United States (Link)

• Tiny Fish Co – Tinned Fish, Local Ingredients, Portland, OR, United States (Link)

• Central Coast Creamery – Handmade Cheese, Local Dairy, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States (Link)

• Three Sisters Charcuterie – Sustainable Pork Spanish Dry-Cured Chorizo, Richmond, CA, United States (Link)

GROCERS

1,000+ Tiny Grocers to find Cheese

Farm2Me Map of Independent Grocers is not just a map – it’s a vibrant, living community celebrating the hardworking shops and shopkeepers you pass by every day.

Get lost in the intricate stories of shop owners. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

We’ve spent 14 years building this, so enjoy!

NON-GMO

Non GMO Project

Non-GMO products do not allow GMO genetically modified organism - a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. GMO creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.  Make sure  you see the  Non-GMO label!

Genetic modification affects many of the products we consume on a daily basis. As the number of GMOs available for commercial use grows every year, the Non-GMO Project works diligently to provide the most accurate, up-to-date standards for non-GMO verification.

In order for a product to be Non-GMO Project Verified, its inputs must be evaluated for compliance with our standard, which categorizes inputs into four risk levels.

NON-ALCOHOLIC

600+ Non-Alcoholic Shops for Gifting

Farm2Me Map of Non-Alc Grocers is not just a map – it’s a vibrant, living community celebrating the hardworking shops and shopkeepers you pass by every day.

Get lost in the intricate stories of shop owners. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

We’ve spent 14 years building this, so enjoy!

NEWS

Seaweed Gets $2.5M

Triodos’ investment into the Faroese seaweed farming industry - the group’s first investment into the sustainable aquaculture industry - raises the total capital raised by Ocean Rainforest to € 2.5 million. Other notable shareholders include Katapult Ocean, Twynam, and WWF.

Founded in 2007, Ocean Rainforest was ahead of the curve, seemingly anticipating the massive boom in global seaweed production that was to come in the following years. Driven by the idea that growing seaweed in the ocean would take up CO₂ and mitigate climate change, cultivation began in 2013 after years of research and trials. Today the company employs 25 people and expects to produce 400 tonnes of seaweed biomass by the end of 2024, making it the largest cultivated seaweed producer in Europe.

“Ocean Rainforest addresses three impact pillars: from an environmental perspective, cultivating seaweed at scale is associated with significant enhancement of marine biodiversity and water quality. Seaweed-based fertilisers and animal feed also contribute to the sustainable agriculture transition. From a consumer perspective, consumption of seaweed-based products improves the digestive system and brings anti-inflammatory and other benefits,” said Adam Kybird, fund manager at Triodos, in a press release.

“Finally, from a socio-economic perspective, the company creates positive impact for coastal communities, creating jobs and positioning the Faroe Islands at the forefront of sustainable seaweed cultivation,” he added.

Ocean Rainforest has also begun to expand its reach, cultivating giant kelp in Santa Barbara, California, as part of a research and development project. The company recently applied for permission to transition this to commercial cultivation.

“We see the investment by Triodos Food Transition Europe Fund as a confirmation of our business strategy and our purpose to improve people’s wellbeing and make a unique contribution to our blue planet. With the funding provided by Triodos we will be able to further scale our production and capitalise on the huge potential of this global growth market while contributing even more to our sustainability goals,” said Olavur Gregersen, Ocean Rainforest co-founder and chief executive.

LOCAL FARMS

Farmers Markets to find Cheese

Farm2Me Guide of Farmers Markets is not just a map – you can finally search by day, location, and see what’s open — it’s a vibrant, living community celebrating the hardworking farms and makers all over the country, every day.

Get lost in the intricate stories of the farms. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

We’ve spent 14 years building this, so enjoy!

COFFEE ROASTERS

Coffee Roasters Near Me

Farm2Me Map of Independent Grocers is not just a map – it’s a vibrant, living community celebrating the hardworking shops and shopkeepers you pass by every day.

Get lost in the intricate stories of shop owners. Discover their journeys, the products they love, and the reasons behind what they do.

Take advantage of the map when you’re visiting a new neighborhood, when you’re traveling around the country / world, or just looking for something special in your neighborhood.

We’ve spent 14 years building this, so enjoy!

Pro Tip #1

Visit a local Grocer or Coffee Shop, or explore a local Farmers Market. Shop direct from your favorite emerging brands!

CHOCOLATE

Fine & Raw Chocolate

Fine & Raw Chocolate was established in 2007 in a notorious Williamsburg, Brooklyn artist loft by Daniel Sklaar. Daniel launched into making small Fine & Raw Chocolate batches and sharing them with friends, Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale then started delivering them on his bicycle to local purveyors of fine food. It was apparent that the chocolate flavor was so good it was borderline addictive. Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale grew based on the premise of producing organic, unparalleled quality chocolate and a shear love of the chocolate making process.

The “raw” in Fine & Raw is something of a misnomer. Sklaar and Fine & Raw Chocolate company do roast some of their organic cacao beans under lower temperatures and for longer durations than common in standard high-heat processing. Says Sklaar, “Raw chocolate is an amazing source of antioxidants. We’re basically looking to maintain those while playing with the unique flavor profiles of raw chocolate.” Fine & Raw offers chocolates using both “raw” and combinations of “raw” and conventionally roasted beans.

Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale manufactures the finest chocolate in the world. Fine & Raw Chocolate wholesale specialize in bean-to-bar, organic chocolate bars and truffles, spreads and well, anything our imaginations can think of it. Fine & Raw Chocolate start by sourcing the worlds finest cacao beans and specialize in clean ingredients lists. Their products are always organic, plant-based and next level.

Fine & Raw Chocolate's first point of sustainability is a radically-transparent cacao supply chain which is focused on quality and direct relationships with cacao farmer! Fine & Raw's cacao is sourced from the highest quality and most ethical suppliers in Ghana and Ecuador. "We ensure that our farmers are paid above fair trade wages, because we believe farmers should have the economic freedom and empowerment to farm organically and develop sustainable land management practices. It is currently estimated that less than 0.5% of cacao beans are organic. By cultivating long-lasting and ethical relationships with suppliers and farmers, we hope to continue providing economic support for the organic cacao industry."

Made in Brooklyn, NY

Founded by Daniel Sklaar in 2007

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