Mainland

Mainland: Born from Vision on Lush Green Pastures

Mainland is a high-quality cheese brand from New Zealand with a history spanning over 70 years. It was founded in 1954 on New Zealand's South Island, an area with fertile pastures and a landscape perfectly suited for agriculture. Here, Peter McConnon, a visionary food technology expert, established a small family company named Mainland Products Ltd. with the goal of producing and selling excellent quality cheese. He began his business with a two-year contract to ship cheese from the South Island to Auckland, located on the North Island.

The most important philosophy that has driven the Mainland brand to this day is Good Things Take Time. This concept is reflected in every step of the cheese-making process, from the selection of raw materials to the final aging. Mainland uses milk from cows that are naturally grass-fed in open fields, without the use of growth hormones. This high-quality milk is then meticulously and slowly aged, cured, and balanced until it achieves the most perfect flavor.

Success and Global Growth

Mainland's commitment to quality became evident in 1965 when its Vintage Cheddar Cheese was rated as the finest Cheddar Cheese in New Zealand, confirming its superior production standards over competitors of that era. This cheese has an intense, bold flavor and is suitable for pairing with a wide variety of wines.

In the 1990s, the Kiwi Co-operative Dairies company acquired an 83% stake in Mainland Products Ltd. Later, in 2002, all shares were purchased by Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy producers. However, despite two changes in ownership, Mainland has continuously adhered to the original quality principles that Peter McConnon had established.

Today, Mainland is not limited to the domestic market but has expanded into international markets, including Australia, America, and other regions worldwide. With its strengths in fresh, clean raw materials from nature and a traditional, time-honored aging process, Mainland has built a strong reputation and won numerous awards on the international stage, proving its quality is recognized globally.

A Range of Cheeses Reflecting the Brand's Philosophy

Today, Mainland offers a diverse range of cheeses for consumers to choose from, each with a unique character developed through different aging periods:

• Mainland Tasty Cheddar: Aged for up to 18 months to create an intense flavor and a firm texture that is both crumbly and deeply smooth. This cheese is perfect for snacking, making sandwiches, or as part of a cheese board for a party.
• Mainland Vintage Cheddar: Aged for a maximum of 24 months, giving it a richer, more complex, and spicier flavor than regular cheddar. The texture is often crumbly, and natural salt crystals may be found due to the long aging process, a hallmark of high-quality cheddar. This cheese has won multiple awards at New Zealand cheese competitions and is one of the country's best-selling cheeses.
• Mainland Organic Cheddar: Made from 100% organic milk from naturally grass-fed cows, free from hormones and chemicals. Produced using a fully organic method, it offers a mild and deep flavor. It's suitable for various uses, such as on sandwiches, with crackers, or in cooking where a subtle cheese flavor is desired.
  
  From its small beginnings in 1954, Mainland has grown to become a symbol of high-quality cheese from New Zealand, not only delivering excellent taste but also upholding a philosophy that values time and care in every step of the production process.