Schuman Cheese, a fourth-generation family-owned company and importer and distributor of specialty cheeses, has partnered with Wyke Farms, the U.K.’s largest independent cheese producer.
Through the collaboration, Schuman will serve as the exclusive supplier for Wyke Farms and its sub-brands, including Ivy’s Reserve, across British cheddars and butter in the U.S. market. The partnership builds on Schuman’s approach to stewarding heritage brands and driving category growth by pairing globally respected producers with expertise in distribution, marketing and customer strategy.
“Schuman has a long history of building brands with purpose and longevity in the U.S. market,” said Ian Schuman, EVP of international business development at Schuman Cheese.
“Wyke and Ivy’s Reserve bring exceptional quality, provenance, and sustainability credentials to our portfolio, while offering a distinct British cheddar profile that expands choice for both retailers and consumers.”
The collaboration includes Ivy’s Reserve, Wyke Farms’ premium heritage range named after Ivy Clothier, whose original farmhouse recipes remain central to the brand. Ivy’s Reserve cheddars are aged in Somerset to develop creamier texture and layered flavor complexity, while the brand’s farmhouse butter is slow churned using traditionally aged cream to deliver a smooth texture and rich taste suited for entertaining, cheese boards and everyday use.
“My grandmother Ivy seldom left Somerset – she never even travelled on a plane – so she would be truly amazed to know that the cheese and butter bearing her name are now enjoyed across the United States,” said Richard Clothier MBE, managing director and third-generation cheesemaker at Wyke Farms.
“Partnering with Schuman Cheese, whose values so closely align with our own, allows us to share the unique character and heritage of Somerset farmhouse cheddar with a new audience, while ensuring our family’s commitment to quality and sustainability continues for generations to come.”
About Wyke Farms
Founded in Somerset, England, Wyke Farms is one of the U.K.’s oldest family-run cheesemakers, with nearly 300 years of farming and cheesemaking heritage. The company produces award-winning farmhouse cheddar and butter using traditional recipes and milk sourced from its own family farms and a network of local producers. The Clothier family has perfected the art of traditional cheddar making for more than 160 years using the same award-winning recipe passed down through generations.
About Schuman Cheese
Headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey, Schuman Cheese was founded in 1945 when Arthur Schuman began importing Italian cheeses to the U.S. The company has since grown into a leading importer and distributor of specialty cheeses, with production facilities in Wisconsin that complement its import business. Schuman’s portfolio includes the flagship Cello brand, which has won numerous awards at domestic and international cheese competitions.