Whole Foods and Wegmans Promote Cheese for Holiday Entertaining

Whole Foods and Wegmans are celebrating the holidays with in-store cheese promotions. Both retailers are highlighting their unique cheese offerings to consumers this holiday season. 

Whole Foods Market kicked off its 12 Days of Cheese promotion on Dec. 13, which highlights a different artisan cheese daily through Dec. 24. Each of the selected cheeses will be 50 percent off for one day during the 12-day period.

The distinctive, single-source cheeses were chosen by Whole Foods Market’s global cheese buyer, Cathy Strange, with help from the company’s Certified Cheese Professionals. These experts have been certified by the American Cheese Society for cheese storage and handling, nutrition, distribution, raw materials, the ripening process, the making process, and on categories and types of cheeses.

“Whether folks are putting together an elegant cheese board, hosting a brunch, or craving a nibble while curling up with a good book, these 12 selections will make delicious additions to any holiday tradition,” Strange says. “We’re thrilled to offer these exciting cheeses at a great value, so customers can enjoy these special items while stretching their dollar.”

A full list of the cheeses that Whole Foods is featuring each day is available on the retailer's website. 

Wegmans is touting brie as the perfect holiday cheese for its shoppers. With the help of Wegmans’ new cheese cave affixer Mathieu Callol, Wegmans offers a line of perfectly ripened brie in a variety of flavor profiles and intensities, including Mild, Medium and Intense Brie; Medium and Intense Camembert; Mild Triple Crème and Mild Crémeux de Bourgogne. 

Callol, who was born in Dijon, France, has degrees in dairy production and biotechnology from one of France’s most prestigious institutions. He spent several years honing his craft both as a research and development project manager and technician for renowned European cheese-making operations. His connections with these important manufacturers mean new sources of incredible cheeses for Wegmans. 

“The mild, medium and intense designations on our labels help our customers quickly and easily understand what to expect from each cheese,” says Callol. “Our Mild Brie is a great introduction to soft cheeses, with a buttery flavor that offers a hint of sweetness. And the Medium Brie has buttery, mellow notes, while our Intense Brie offers deeper, richer, mushroomy flavors.

“One of the most exciting things about working at Wegmans, is it’s a company that cares. They care about their people, their customers, their suppliers and their products,” Collol adds. “Because of that, I have the opportunity to innovate, working hand-in-hand with our suppliers and artisan cheese makers to create new cheeses for our customers. Our washed-rind cheeses, rinsed and finished in our very own cheese caves, are a great example of the unique cheeses we’re able to bring to market.” 

The Wegmans website features taste notes on the brie varieties the company offers, along with tips on building a holiday cheese tray and wine pairing recommendations.