FireFly Farms Proudly Joins National Association For The Speciality Food Trade

FireFly Farms (www.fireflyfarms.com), award-winning producer of artisanal goat cheeses from Marylands Allegheny Plateau, today announced its recent acceptance as a member of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT).

BITTINGER, MD (PRWEB) March 7, 2004---FireFly Farms (www.fireflyfarms.com), award-winning producer of artisanal goat cheeses from Marylands Allegheny Plateau, today announced its recent acceptance as a member of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT). The juried acceptance process, which included submission and tasting of FireFlys cheeses, enables FireFly Farms to exhibit its artisanal goat cheeses -- Allegheny Chèvre, MountainTop Bleu, Merry Goat Round, and Bûche Noir -- to specialty food retailers at the NASFTs annual Fancy Food Shows, the nations premier marketplace for the specialty food trade.

This is very big for us, were thrilled," said Pablo Solanet, one of FireFlys four principal partners and master cheese maker. As a chef and cheese maker, I know the NASFT and its Fancy Food Shows are the destination for retailers and food-lovers across the county. I am proud to have FireFlys cheeses in such good company."

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade is a not-for-profit business trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. The NASFT is an international organization composed of domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, brokers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers and others in the specialty foods business. The organization has more than 2,100 current member companies throughout the U.S. and overseas.

About FireFlys Artisanal Goat Cheeses:

Allegheny Chèvre is a traditional fresh goat cheese with a clean taste and a spreadable texture. The richness of this chèvre is due to FireFlys Nubian goatherd and the rich butterfat quality of their milk. Its perfect at any time of the day, eaten alone or used in finer cuisines.

MountainTop Bleu, 2002 First Place Winner in the American Cheese Society Judging, is a surface-ripened blue-mold goat cheese. It takes its pyramidal shape from Valencay molds imported from France. Delicate blue-veining run through the cheese and blue and white-bloomed molds cover its surface. Aged five to eight weeks, its creamy texture is perfectly balanced with its piquant flavor.

Merry Goat Round, 2002 Third Place Winner in the American Cheese Society Judging, is FireFlys playful approach to goats milk brie. While it resembles that cheese in shape, its texture is slightly firmer and its taste is reminiscent of a young cheddar. Aged five to eight weeks, its a delightful addition to any menu and melt beautifully.

Bûche Noir is FireFlys own black log. It is a sophisticated chèvre log coated in vegetable ash with a white-bloomed rind. Aged for several weeks to mature its flavor and soften its body, this cheese is certain to please the most discerning of palates.

About FireFlyFarms:

Established in 2000, FireFlyFarms is dedicated to the art of cheese making. FireFly Farms artisanal goat cheeses are made according to time-honored tradition -- they are produced and ripened with handmade care. We take special care to ensure the purity, quality, and clean flavor of our milk. Our aged cheeses are ripened naturally in a specially constructed aging room -- we shun short cuts and artificial techniques aimed at increasing yield or shelf life at the expense of quality. At FireFly, we believe in the interdependence of people with one another and with our environment, and we are committed to caring for the land and protecting biodiversity for todays communities and future generations.