Cheese 2013 Features Balkan Fare In Italy

The biennial event, simply called Cheese, returns this September in the city of Bra to showcase all things cheese from the Balkans, according to a press release.

The event intends to showcase "milk in all its shapes and forms", Cheese is meant to bring all members of the industry together to not only showcase their products but also discuss market trends and general aspects of the trade.

It will last three days, and will create a network of cheese makers and artisans from Turkey in addition to seven Balkan countries including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia.

Each country is involved in the ESSEDRA project, and program that facilitates integration within the European Union by allowing civil society organizations related to agriculture and food quality to be heard by other countries. The idea is that in doing so, environmental protection and sustainability will be bolstered and local products and small-scale food producers will be promoted.

Special events at Cheese 2013 include a conference about local, regional cheeses such as varieties of feta and goat cheese and cow and sheep yogurt. It will feature a tasting that will have one cheese from every participating country.