Schuman Cheese, a fourth-generation leader in the North American specialty cheese industry, on Thursday announced a landmark partnership with Wyke Farms, the United Kingdom’s largest independent cheese producer.
Under the new agreement, Schuman will serve as the exclusive U.S. supplier for Wyke Farms and its premium heritage brand, Ivy’s Reserve, bringing nearly 300 years of British cheesemaking tradition to American retailers.
The collaboration marks a strategic expansion of Schuman’s imported portfolio, pairing their deep distribution and marketing expertise with Wyke Farms’ award-winning Somerset cheddars and farmhouse butters.
For Schuman Cheese, founded in 1945 and headquartered in Fairfield, the deal is a natural fit. Both companies share a multigenerational, family-owned structure that prioritizes long-term brand integrity over short-term market trends.
Meanwhile, based in the heart of Somerset, England—the ancestral home of cheddar—Wyke Farms has been family-run since 1861. The partnership highlights the Ivy’s Reserve line, named after grandmother Ivy Clothier, whose original 19th-century recipes remain the blueprint for the brand’s distinctive flavor profile.
Featured Heritage Products:
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Ivy’s Reserve Vintage Cheddar: Aged for up to 18 months under wood, this cheddar is known for its creamy texture, layered complexity, and a signature “hint of crunch.”
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Ivy’s Reserve Farmhouse Butter: A slow-churned, salted butter made with traditionally aged cream, offering a rich, clean finish suited for high-end charcuterie and entertaining.
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Somerset Red: A recent innovation in the reserve line, this cheese offers a buttery smoothness and a deep natural hue reminiscent of a Somerset sunset.
“Wyke and Ivy’s Reserve bring exceptional quality, provenance, and sustainability credentials to our portfolio,” Ian Schuman, EVP of International Business Development at Schuman Cheese said. “They offer a distinct British cheddar profile that expands choice for both retailers and consumers.”
Beyond heritage, the partnership reinforces Schuman’s commitment to sustainable stewardship. Wyke Farms is a global pioneer in sustainable dairy through its “100% Green” strategy. It was the first national cheddar brand in the UK to achieve self-sufficiency in green energy.
Sustainability milestones include:
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Renewable Energy: The farm’s state-of-the-art anaerobic digester converts farm and dairy waste into biogas, saving over 20 million kilos of $CO_2$ annually.
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Carbon Neutrality: Ivy’s Reserve was the world’s first certified carbon-neutral cheddar, achieving PAS 2060 standards through cradle-to-grave footprint analysis.
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Regenerative Farming: The Clothier family invests heavily in biodiversity, monitoring river habitats and employing natural fertilizers produced as a byproduct of their energy plant.
“My grandmother Ivy would be truly amazed to know that the cheese and butter bearing her name are now enjoyed across the United States,” Richard Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms said. “Partnering with Schuman Cheese allows us to share the unique character of Somerset farmhouse cheddar while ensuring our family’s commitment to quality continues for generations.”
