LANSING, Mich. – The Center for Dairy Research’s Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) recently announced the allocation of $3.5 million in grants to 44 recipients, including two Michigan-based cheese companies: Leelanau Cheese Co., in Suttons Bay, and Reny Picot - Old Europe Cheese, Inc., in Benton Harbor.

According to the Michigan Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), these grants aim to foster innovation and growth in the dairy industry across the Midwest.

Tim Boring, MDARD director, said in a statement that dairy businesses like Leelanau Cheese Co., and Reny Picot - Old Europe Cheese are vital to Michigan’s $15 billion dairy sector.

He told Farm World, “Michigan companies continue to ‘Make it in Michigan’ and the state’s ability to bring federal funding into Michigan to support the dairy industry is essential to the long-term viability of our farmers.”

Established in 1995 in Suttons Bay, Leelanau Cheese Co. produces award-winning European-style cheeses, an MDARD statement said. With a $100,000 DBIA grant, the company plans to upgrade equipment, expand production capacity, and reach new markets, “further highlighting Michigan’s agricultural richness,” MDARD added. The company declined an interview request for further comment.

Operating in Benton Harbor since 1987, Reny Picot - Old Europe Cheese, Inc., specializes in artisan-handcrafted cheeses sourced from sustainable Michigan dairies.

Company officials said their $98,000 grant will help reintroduce sliced brie cheese, expand production capacity, recover lost sales, and create new jobs.

“The building was purchased by ILAS (Industrias Lácteas Asturianas Spain) Reny Picot out of Spain,” Lianne Pitcher, Reny Picot - Old Europe Cheese customer service and procurement manager, told Farm World. “ILAS is a company based in the Asturian parish of Anleo in the council of Navia, Spain. ILAS Spain was started in 1960 as family business by Francisco Rodríguez (who leads the organization as executive chair). He still oversees some to the day-to-day operations of the company.”

In 2023, Old Europe Cheese purchased and installed a modern vat line to produce soft cheese from a European manufacturer, she said.

“Brie cheese requires molds to place the curd into to produce the final shape,” she said. “The new line requires specific molds for correct and effective operation. The grant will purchase new molds and funnel to allow Old Europe Cheese to produce what it calls slicing brie, a rectangle-shaped brie, which lends itself to being user-friendly when slicing cheese to place on sandwiches or crackers.

“This shape can be used by consumers to quickly slice cheese with little to no waste to place on a cracker or sandwich,” she added. “It will also allow food service technicians to quickly slice the cheese into useful squares, saving time and reducing waste.”

She said, “The mission of Old Europe Cheese is to produce the finest soft brie-style cheese, with a focus on food safety and quality. We strive to wow consumers and restaurants with our quality and great customer service. Our goals for 2025 are to continue to expand our customer base with innovative products, great-tasting, award-winning cheese, and industry-best customer service.”

When asked how each individual company is selected for a grant, Boring said, “Applications are scored individually by a grant review committee comprised of representatives from each of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance states, Midwest Dairy Association in Ankeny, Iowa; and the Center for Dairy Research and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, both in Madison, Wis.

“Each committee member assigns a score of up to 100 points to each application,” he said. “All scores are averaged, and applications are ranked according to the average scores. Funds are allocated, starting with the application receiving the highest average score, and working downward until the funds for the cycle are exhausted.”

He said MDARD works closely with DBIA to promote the grant opportunities to eligible applicants around the state, with MDARD being a part of the review committee to help review grants received from all eligible states.

“Michigan companies have received over $1.2 million in grants from the program since Michigan joined the DBIA in 2022,” he said. “These grants provide critical funding for dairy projects of all sizes in the state, helping to expand and grow the industry to ensure viable markets for Michigan dairy farmers.”