April may be Earth Month, but at Formaticum, we have always been committed to sustainability no matter what time of year it is. That's why our founder has sourced wrapping materials that are free from plasticizers, PFAs, and BPAs, as well as making sure that we offer a variety of plastic-free and compostable materials. But sustainability goes beyond cheese paper, which is why we've put together a list of ways to improve sustainability practices behind your cheese counter.
1. Switch to a plastic-free or Reusable wrapping material for cut-to-order cheese. We offer a variety of materials and colors to suit different styles of cheese - for example, compostable Zero is best for washed rinds and aged cheeses, while Brown Alios and Greaseproof Sheets work wonders for blue cheeses, butter, and charcuterie. Wrapping bloomy rinds and geotrichum-rinded cheeses in our plant-based Cellophane will allow them to breathe and won't damage their delicate rinds the way plastic wrap will. Wrapping your cheese in the right material will keep it healthier, longer, ultimately reducing waste.
2. Wrap and store your backstock and larger display pieces in cheese paper instead of plastic wrap. Not only will this preserve the flavor and quality and extend the shelf life, but it will also reduce waste, since you will not need to face and rewrap the cheese as often, as our paper slows the growth of surface mold. We recommend large sheets of our new Reusable Wrap or a roll of One-Ply.
3. Reduce food waste by using less-than-perfect herbs, vegetables, fruit, etc. to make added value products like compound butter or flavored cream cheese. Use cheese approaching its Best By Date to make small Grab & Go cheese plates on our biodegradable Wood Trays. Shred older cheeses for a housemade Mac & Cheese or Fondue Blend, and sell Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano rinds separately for your customers to use in soups and sauces.
4. Offer your customers sustainable ways to store cheese at home instead of using plastic wrap or plastic bags. Consider stocking compostable Zero Cheese Storage Bags & Sheets in retail packaging to provide your customers with an easy-to-use solution and also raise your basket averages. Aside from being incredibly user-friendly, our plastic-free Zero Cheese Storage Bags and new Reusable Cheese Storage Bags are better for the earth and better for the cheese!
5. Know who you are buying product from. Talk to your distributors and producers to learn their practices and decide if their values are in line with yours. Understand that you are representing their values by selling their product. Try to source cheese from producers and farmers who are committed to sustainable practices, such as regenerative farming & agriculture, plastic-free packaging, climate action planning, equity and diversity work, community education and service, land and wildlife preservation, and ethical treatment of animals….just to name a few.
Learn more about Formaticum products on our FAQ page and reach out to wholesale@formaticum.com with any questions or comments.