Popular Blacks Corner deli leads campaign to 'save British cheese' left going to waste by Covid-19

Black’s Corner deli in East Boldon, which has built a fan base by championing small-batch producers, is leading a campaign to save half a tonne of British cheese that’s been unsold due to coronavirus.
Blacks Corner Deli and Bakehouse deli manager John Craig prepares cheese on the open counterBlacks Corner Deli and Bakehouse deli manager John Craig prepares cheese on the open counter
Blacks Corner Deli and Bakehouse deli manager John Craig prepares cheese on the open counter

The deli in St John’s Terrace, and sister restaurant in St Bedes, have teamed up with Neal’s Yard Dairy for the campaign after British cheesemakers were hit hard by the pandemic.

Due to the effect of lockdown, cheese storerooms up and down the country are full of unsold produce, while other producers have gone out of business. In a bid to help, Blacks Corner and Neal’s Yard Dairy are identifying and reaching out to British cheesemakers who need support but are too small to receive national help.

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A crowdfunding campaign features a selection of four cheeses carefully chosen by Black’s Corner and Neal’s Yard Dairy which they are selling to prevent them going totally to waste, with hampers of 0.75kg for £33, 1.5kg for £65 or 3kg for £130.

The cheeses featured in the Save British Cheese hampersThe cheeses featured in the Save British Cheese hampers
The cheeses featured in the Save British Cheese hampers

Adding to the support, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership has pledged to match up to 150kg of orders to help restock the Black’s Corner Deli fridges, after the success of their community outreach program which delivered almost 500 relief hampers to people in self isolation.

Jonathan Dryden from Blacks Corner said: “This is an opportunity to help both a national cause and a local business. This campaign is not just about amazing cheese, it's also about people. It’s about the first, third and fifth generation farmers and cheesemakers who put the environment, the quality of their produce and the welfare of their staff and animals at the heart of their businesses.”

Over the next week Black’s Corner will be showcasing the cheesemakers on their instagram account to give a sense of the people and the history that orders will support.

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Hampers are available to buy from the Crowdfunder page at www.blackscorner.co.uk/savebritishcheese

Open cheese display at Blacks Corner Deli and Bakehouse on St Johns Terrace, East BoldonOpen cheese display at Blacks Corner Deli and Bakehouse on St Johns Terrace, East Boldon
Open cheese display at Blacks Corner Deli and Bakehouse on St Johns Terrace, East Boldon

Jonathan added: “We partnered with the crowdfunding.co.uk initiative so that you can purchase British farmhouse cheese via Blacks Corner direct from the maker. This money will go directly to the farms and in return will be matched by the North East LEP.”

The cheeses featured in the hampers are

::Ogleshield

::With its orange-pink rind, Ogleshield has a gentle but complex flavour: it can be deeply savoury, almost reminiscent of chicken broth and has a sweet and milky aroma. It has a soft and pliant texture and melts beautifully; a perfect cooking cheese. Made with pasteurised cow's milk and animal rennet.

::Devon Blue

::This cheese tends to have a sweet, caramelly flavour profile. Occasionally some cheeses will develop light spicy flavours too. It has a crumbly, buttery texture with subtle blue veining throughout. Made with pasteurised cow's milk and vegetarian rennet.

::Corra Linn

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::A clothbound sheep’s milk cheese, flavours are lightly floral and brothy, with savoury notes of roast lamb. When chewed the texture is creamy and succulent. Made with raw sheep's milk and animal rennet.

::Pitchfork Cheddar

::Pitchfork is a "proper, old-fashioned Cheddar": full-bodied with a dense, creamy texture and an acidic, juicy bite. Made with raw cow's milk and animal rennet. Clothbound with lard.

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