The Cheese Ministry

“People Helping People has been a theme at Rockingham Cooperative for many years, and purchasing power is a core competency at Rockingham Cooperative to lower our member’s costs.

Anyone can donate money to The Cheese Ministry which will be used to purchase cheese in large volumes to lower the cost and multiply the benefits to people in need.

The Cheese Ministry serves as a resource to support struggling dairy farmers and people throughout the community who are otherwise in need. This works by purchasing cheese with donations which in turn supports our local dairy farmers. The cheese is then distributed through local food pantries, churches, and local feeding programs to help those less fortunate.

Rockingham Cooperative serves as a resource to local churches, businesses, farmers, associations, and individuals interested in donating money to purchase cheese to be distributed to people in need locally.

 The Cheese Ministry started in November of 2017 with Harrisonburg Baptist Church and Hope Distributed distributing the cheese to churches, food pantries, and direct to people in need in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. The cheese purchased is made from locally produced milk which helps to support dairy farmers. The cheese is distributed to provide a high-quality protein food source to people in need. Food pantries report that cheese is one of the most requested foods which is seldom donated. Cheese is distributed throughout the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.