Why the nation loves cheese and cheese producers love plastic pallets

In our latest sector focus blog, we take a closer look at how our plastic pallets can be utilised in the food industry, with a particular focus on one of the nation’s favourite foods – cheese!

Perhaps it is the tanginess of a Cornish Yarg, the pungency of a Stinking Bishop, the creaminess of a Stilton, or the mature taste of a cheddar that has the nation in love with cheese. Whatever it is, cheese has become one of Britain’s favourite foods and a staple for 98% of British households according to a recent British Cheese Board poll.

In 2020, the UK cheese industry was worth £3.5 billion. Turophiles (the name given to cheese lovers) were spoilt for choice with over 750 varieties of cheese to choose from, largely thanks to the emergence of smaller, independent cheese producers across the country.

Artisan cheese makers have honed their craft and satisfied taste buds with a platter of creative flavours. Now, they are enjoying a tasty slice of this lucrative market, just like West Sussex cheese maker, High Weald Dairy.

Their farm is home to 100 cows, and it takes 2,800 litres of milk and a 9-hour process to produce a batch of cheese. It then takes anywhere up to 12 months to mature it.

Mark Hardy, Director of High Weald Dairy, said, “We make over 20 different varieties of cheese in our small production area on the farm. A lot of the process is done by hand, but we use our large milk vat to get the process started and coagulate the milk.

“Once we have separated the curds and whey, we begin to form the cheese into the desired shape. We utilise plastic pallets to help handle and move the cheese in our high care area.

Plastic pallets are hygienic, easy to clean, and don’t have any parts that could become loose over time, potentially contaminating our cheese. This is vital for helping us adhere to food safety.

“Once we’ve formed the cheese into wheels, we move it to our maturing room where they are stored at 10 degrees Celsius and 85% humidity.”

Here at Goplasticpallets.com, we know that plastic pallets are an unbeatable choice when it comes to food production and distribution. We have been supporting a variety of food manufacturers and retailers for more than 20 years with our reliable, durable and long-lasting plastic pallets and plastic containers. Whether they need a hygienic pallet for use in food production or an economical solution for distribution, as experts in our field we pride ourselves on supplying the perfect plastic product for their application.

Our IPS Hygienic 1210 5R, for example, is made from virgin material and is the ultimate hygiene pallet. It is strong and reliable and can be used time and again to move and store food items. Plastic is impervious to moisture and contamination, and also very easy to clean, all vital for meeting food hygiene standards.

For distribution our APB 1210 Pool Open 5R pallet is strong and reliable and can be used time and again. It performs exceptionally well in automated warehouses because of its excellent structural qualities, dimensional consistency, and minimal deflection under load. Its perforated semi open deck allows for ventilation and easy cleaning.

As well as having unrivalled performance, the APB 1210 Pool Open 5R pallet is a sustainable choice too. It is made from recycled plastic which makes use of the plastic resource that already exists and promotes a circular economy.

Sustainability is a key consideration for our customers and food manufacturers alike. While turophiles are enjoying cheese by the truckle, they are also becoming more conscious about the environment and are more supportive of brands who align with their environmental values.

If you would like to see how our plastic pallets and containers can improve your production, distribution and green credentials, please get in touch with our experts on +44 (0)1323 744057 or via emailing sales@goplasticpallets.com.