Electric car delivers carbon neutral cheese

A UK artisan cheesemaker has celebrated its claim to be the first producer of ‘carbon-neutral cheese’ at a ceremony at its dairy in Kent.

Winterdale Shaw, a creamy yet firm cheddar-type cheese, is produced using morning milk from the family’s 1,200 head herd. This is piped directly into the cheese vat, without being heated, cooled or pasteurised. The power required for the dairy is produced by a ground source heat pump and a set of photovoltaic cells.

The cheese is made by the husband and wife team behind the operation, Robin and Carla Betts. It is matured for 10 months in the cellars beneath the dairy, which remain at a natural temperature of 12oC throughout the year – again removing the need for any artificial cooling or heating.

The latest development is an electric car, charged from the solar panels and with zero emissions, which the company is now using to deliver supplies to Fortnum & Mason and other stockists within a 30 mile radius.

Robin Betts said, “We have been working towards a carbon neutral cheese for such a long time now – carbon neutral really does mean a cheese which has been made with absolutely no energy usage at all. It hasn’t been easy, but we really think the journey has been worth it.”