Point Reyes Cheese: Advancing Sustainability Through Partnerships
In 2000, the Giacomini’s took on a new venture...
Crafting cheese from their own dairy herd marked a bold new direction for the Giacomini family - and the birth of Point Reyes Cheese. Now a nationally recognised, award-winning producer of hand-crafted artisan cheese, Point Reyes continues to thrive by staying true to its roots in farming, sustainability, and community.
As their business has grown, so has their understanding of what it takes to uphold those values across the entire supply chain. Today, trusted partnerships play a vital role in carrying their sustainability mission from paddock to plate.
What does sustainability mean to you at Point Reyes?
Sustainability on our dairy farm has been at the forefront of our practices since 1959. First and foremost, we are stewards of our land in hopes of maintaining it for future generations.
Our definition of sustainability has expanded over time. It now includes not just what we do on the farm, but how we partner with others - from suppliers to distributors - to support environmental goals across every step of our business.
Applying innovative sustainability practices within our cheese company creates great benefit to our environment through bettering the land, air, and water. But it makes great business sense too. We believe the quality of our cheese is absolutely impacted by our farming methods, and enhanced by working with partners who help us uphold those standards.
How much value does your company place on sustainability and why?
Our farm has been sustaining our family going on four generations, and the ways in which we take care of the land ensure that our legacy will live on for future generations. We are more than dairy farmers and artisan cheese makers; we are a family steeped in traditions, always looking for ways to better our environment by reducing our carbon footprint.
This commitment also guides how we select the businesses we work with. Strong partnerships with like-minded suppliers help us amplify our sustainability efforts, whether that’s through innovative packaging, efficient logistics, or responsible sourcing.
“The happiness of our cows is directly affected by their healthy diets and land stewardship, which is why we place sustainability above all else.” This focus on sustainability from the source of the product, flows down right throughout the practices of the company, right to the moment the consumer receives the remarkable taste sensation that Point Reyes delivers.
Being B2C, what is most crucial when it comes to your sustainability?
We believe that promoting and supporting healthy environments and communities are just as important as creating a delicious product. For us, sustainability is a promise we make to both our customers and our planet.
Our commitment to quality and sustainability extends beyond the farm gate, which is why it’s essential that our partners share this mindset. Whether it’s the packaging we use or how our products are delivered, working with the right partners helps us maintain both product quality and environmental responsibility.
How has Thermogard helped you achieve sustainability?
While our sustainability measures begin with our farming practices, they certainly do not end there. Our choice to partner with Thermogard for the packaging we use to ship our cheese continues our commitment to sustainability from our farm - to the tables of our consumers.
Thermogard’s eco-friendly packaging solutions support our goals by helping us reduce waste and protect our product in transit. This kind of partnership allows us to uphold our environmental values while meeting the high standards our customers expect. Thermogard’s design methodology is very outcome and customer focused, ensuring that product protection
“It’s not just about sourcing a product - it’s about working with a partner who understands and supports your vision.”