Fior di Latte
Mountain Artisan Dairy
The Fior di Latte Social Dairy is a dairy cooperative established in 1965 by some of the milk producers in Gaggio Montano, a municipality in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Today, the cooperative brings together most of the producers from the Upper Reno Valley: agricultural companies not only from Gaggio Montano but also from neighboring municipalities, all located between 400 and 1000 meters above sea level. The mountain air, the skill of the cheese maker who repeats gestures passed down from father to son every day, the passion.
The Fior di Latte Social Dairy is an agricultural cooperative whose roots go back in time: founded 60 years ago in Gaggio Montano, it draws inspiration from even older values and traditions passed down through generations. Over time, the project of the early producers consolidates and becomes an increasingly important reality, bringing together the vast majority of milk producers not only from Gaggio Montano but also from neighboring municipalities, to the point of becoming one of the most significant economic entities in the Upper Reno Valley. The cooperative's producers supply over 5000 quintals of milk every year, with which they produce just under 10,000 wheels of PDO Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, registration number 3624, and other cheeses.
The Mountain: our territory
The farms belonging to the cooperative are all located in the mountains between 400 and 1000 meters above sea level, in the municipalities of Marzabotto, Gaggio Montano, and Fanano. It's a territory in the Upper Reno Valley on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, which leaves its mark on every wheel of Parmigiano thanks to the climate, drier and cooler than in the plains, and the quality of the fodder that our cows eat, growing in mountain pastures... our Parmigiano Reggiano breathes mountain air from the barn to the aging process.
The Cheesemaker: Guardian of Tradition
Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) is still made today using the same artisanal method, with repeated gestures, long times, and skills passed down from generation to generation for a thousand years. The cheesemaker, with his experience, is the guardian and interpreter of the traditional techniques required to produce Parmigiano Reggiano. His expert hands make a difference every day between a good Parmigiano Reggiano and an excellent Parmigiano Reggiano.
Sustainability: The Short Supply Chain
The cooperative was established to pursue the goal of sustainability: for the producers, for the consumers, and for the animals. The milk goes directly from the members' farms to the dairy and from our warehouse to our points of sale. The decision to bring most of the production directly to the consumer's table, avoiding intermediaries, and following the short supply chain model has a dual advantage: for the consumer, it means a more affordable price; for the producer, it means a more adequate economic recognition. In our supply chain, every aspect is under our direct control: from the well-being of the animals on the farm, to the processing at the dairy, up to the table.
Award-Winning Quality
Passion and attention to every aspect of production yield their rewards. The quality of our Parmigiano Reggiano is consistently recognized by prestigious awards, such as the Super Gold medal won at the 2023 edition of the World Cheese Awards. You can identify the quality of our Parmigiano by the registration number 3624.