The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Caxias do Sul (SMAPA) and the Regional Office of Emater/RS – Ascar are promoting, as of this Friday (02/24), the 1st Regional Artisan Cheese Contest in Caxias do Sul.
In total, 31 agroindustries from 18 municipalities in Serra and Campos de Cima da Serra submitted 75 samples in the three categories: Colonial (26 samples), Serrano (13) and Authoral and Others (36). The cheeses will be evaluated this Friday, at Cevitis (formerly Fepagro), in Fazenda Souza, by specialist technicians on the subject.
The purpose of the Contest is to encourage the increasingly recognized quality of the cheeses produced in the region. “What is sought is to award products and their producers that stand out, valuing artisanal cheese production, disseminating the Serra Gaúcha know-how to the population and Campos de Cima da Serra”, explains the head of SMAPA, Rudimar Menegotto.
The winners of each category will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze trophies. The best cheese among the “Golds” will win the Super Gold Trophy. The award will be given at the end of the Regional Seminar “Valuation of artisanal cheeses and family agroindustries in Caxias do Sul”, on March 3, at Bolicho dos Piardi, located in the Pavilhão da Festa da Uva. All registered agroindustries will receive participation certificates.
The Contest is sponsored by Sicredi Pioneira.
Participating municipalities: Caxias do Sul, Boa Vista do Sul, Bom Jesus, Canela, Carlos Barbosa, Esmeralda, Fagundes Varela, Farroupilha, Gramado, Guaporé, Jaquirana, Nova Bassano, Nova Petrópolis, Nova Roma do Sul, São José dos Ausentes, São Francisco de Paula, Vila Flores and Vista Alegre do Prata.