April 2, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BC’s Natural Pastures Cheese WORTH ITS TASTE IN GOLD

Courtenay – Even the most daring entrepreneurial dreams could not have foretold the golden results achieved by Natural Pastures Cheese of Courtenay, BC. Only into its third year of operation, this small artisan cheese making company has been awarded four gold medals in Canada and a fourth place finish on the world stage. It is indeed the story of The Little Company that Could (and did).

The jury at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix has awarded gold to Natural Pastures Cheese again this year, and presented the medal at the Gala of Champions in Montreal on April 1st.

Natural Pastures’ cheeses were chosen as finalists in three of the 16 categories, competing against 187 cheeses submitted by cheese makers from across the country. The Natural Pastures cheese finalists were Amsterdammer in the semi-soft cheese category, Boerenkass in the firm cheese category and Cracked Pepper Verdelait in the flavoured cheese category.

Cracked Pepper Verdelait won gold in its category, adding to the already prestigious distinction of finalist.

“We are thrilled and honoured to place among the winners again this year,” said Edgar Smith, President of Natural Pastures Cheese. “This second gold award for us in just three years of production is a wonderful tribute to our fast growing reputation for excellence in producing all-natural artisan cheeses of the highest quality and taste for the most discriminating palates.”

The Canadian Cheese Grand Prix is convened every two years by Dairy Farmers of Canada, a national organization representing Canada's 17,000 dairy producers. At the last Grand Prix in 2002 Natural Pastures Cheese won three gold medals for its Camembert, Boerenkaas and Cumin Verdelait. This prestigious distinction was all the more notable because the awards occurred within the first year of business for the Natural Pastures Cheese Company.

Just as the team at Natural Pastures was celebrating the news of winning gold again this year, the company was informed that its Comox Camembert had placed fourth in its class at the 2004 World Cheese Contest. Hosted every two years since 1957 by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, 1,312 entries from 19 nations were submitted for this year’s contest.

Natural Pastures’ Camembert scored 99.1, mere fractions from Australia’s Best of Class finish of 99.75 for its Brie—placing this Canadian cheese maker among the crème de la crème in the world, along with Quebec’s Damafro which placed second with its Camembert.

An artist in his trade, Master Cheese Maker Paul Sutter graciously shares the credit with the whole team at Natural Pastures for what is fast becoming a tradition of repeated tangible recognition by industry peers around the world. “Artisan cheeses by their very nature must be nurtured to their delectable readiness,” said Sutter. “Every part of the operation is vital, and our dedicated staff makes all the difference between a good cheese and an outstanding culinary experience. We stand as a team to craft cheeses that make all of us proud.”

Sutter also credits the winning results of their carefully selected line of artisan cheeses to the company’s use of pure, rich, additive-free milk produced at its own Beaver Meadow Farms. The farm, located in BC’s Comox Valley, has been owned and operated by the Smith family for three generations. It has been designated a Certified Heritage Dairy Farm. The Land Conservancy of British Columbia recognizes Beaver Meadow Farms as a conservancy partner, due to its commitment to grass based production, animal welfare, environmental sustainability and enhancement.

Natural Pastures Cheese Company was founded in 2001 by the three Smith brothers Edgar, Philip and Doug, and businessman Rick Adams.

“The positive response to our cheeses by our customers and our industry is a reflection of our traditional farming and cheese making approach,” said Smith. “The production of all-natural cheeses was, for us, a natural extension of our way of life.”

Natural Pastures cheeses are available at the company’s factory at 635 McPhee Avenue in Courtenay, and at retail outlets listed in the company’s website, www.naturalpastures.com.

For more information contact: Edgar Smith, President Natural Pastures Cheese Company

Telephone: 250-334-4422 (toll free: 1-866-244-4422) email:naturalpasturescheese@telus.net