Dairy Awards & recognition
Our hard work pays off
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery has a long tradition of cheese-making excellence. And while it’s the raving reviews and loyalty of our customers that most warms our hearts, recognition from the experts and our peers in the dairy industry are nice to receive, too. Here’s a listing of our most recent accolades.
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2026
Jack-Style American Original, Flavored
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Salami Colby
Cheese Curds with Sweet Flavor
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Maple Bacon Cheddar Cheese Curds
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2025
Chairman Award
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Habenero Ghost Pepper
Hot or Spicy
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Habanero Ghost Pepper Jack
Natural Cheese Snack
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Pizza Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Curds
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Dill Pickle Cheddar Cheese Curds
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2025
Brick Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Wisconsin Brick
Brick Muenster
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Red Rind Muenster
Colby-Jack
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Colby Jack
Cheese Curds, Flavored
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Hot Honey Cheese Curds
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Garlic & Dill Cheese Curds
US CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2025
Pasteurized Process Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Ellsworth Pasteurized Process White EZ Melt
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2024
Unique or Mild Flavor
Chairman Award
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Garden Vegetable & Sweet Basil Antonella
Natural Cheese Category
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Colby Jack
Hot or Spicy
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Habanero Ghost Pepper Jack
Unique or Mild Flavor
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Pepperoni & Marinara Antonella
Natural Cheese Snack
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Taco Cheddar Cheese Curds
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2024
Brick Muenster
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Red Rind Muenster
Cheese Curds, Flavored
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Dill Pickle Cheese Curds
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2024
Cheese Curds, Flavored
Best of Class
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Hickory Bacon Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Taco Cheddar Cheese Curds
Pasteurized Process Cheese
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Ellsworth White EZ Melt
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2023
Reserve Chairman Award
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Pepperoni & Marinara Antonella
Natural Cheese Category
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Colby Jack
Processed American (Flavored)
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Hot Pepper EZ Melt
Hot or Spicy
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Habanero Ghost Pepper Jack
Unique or Mild Flavor
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Pepperoni & Marinara Antonella
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Garden Vegetable & Sweet Basil Antonella
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Roasted Garlic & Tomato Basil Antonella
Natural Cheese Snack
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2023
Cheese Curds, Flavored
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Pizza Cheese Curds
Cheese Curds, Flavored
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Dill Pickle Cheese Curds
Brick Muenster, Cow’s Milk
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Red Rind Muenster
US CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2023
Pasteurized Process Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Ellsworth Pasteurized Process White EZ Melt
Pasteurized Process Cheese, Flavored
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Ellsworth Pasteurized Process Elote & Jalapeño Pepper EZ Melt
Pasteurized Process Cheese, Flavored
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Ellsworth Jalapeño Pepper Cheese Food
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2022
Chairman’s Trophy (Most Outstanding Cheese of the Competition)
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Antonella Pepperoni & Marinara
Unique or Mild Flavor
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Antonella Pepperoni & Marinara
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Antonella Garden Vegetable with Sweet Basil
Natural Cheese Snack
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Dill Pickle Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Hickory Bacon Cheddar Cheese Curds
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Cheddar Cheese Curds
Processed American Plain
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
White EZ Melt Loaf
FINALIST- WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD, 2022
Business Retention & Expansion
This award recognizes a single economic development project in which a community successfully mobilized to retain and/or expand an existing business of great importance to the community. The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s new Menomonie plant represents an investment of over $30 million, a collaboration with the City of Menomonie, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and the creation of 78 jobs, many of which were retained from a previous Comstock location.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2022
Pepper Flavored Monterey Jack, High Heat
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Menomonie Facility, Menomonie, WI
Habanero Ghost Pepper Jack
Pasteurized Process Cheese
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Pizza Cheese
Pasteurized Process Cheeses, Flavored
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
New London Hot Pepper
Cheese Curds, Flavored
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Hickory Bacon Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Hot Buffalo Cheese Curds
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2022
Cheese Curds, Flavored
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Ranch Cheese Curds
WORLD DAIRY EXPO CHAMPIONSHIP DAIRY PRODUCT CONTEST, 2022
Flavored Pasteurized Process Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
New London Hot Pepper
WORLD DAIRY EXPO CHAMPIONSHIP DAIRY PRODUCT CONTEST, 2021
Flavored Pasteurized Process Cheese
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Wohlt Pizza Cheese (contains smoke)
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2021
Hot/Spicy Flavor Category
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Hot Pepper Monterey Jack
Processed American Flavored Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
R & G Pepper Cheese Food
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Pimento Yellow American
Processed American Plain Cheese
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
St. Louis Style Pizza American Cheese
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2020
Pasteurized Process Cheeses
2nd Award
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Whole White EZ-Melt American
Natural Snack Cheese, Cheese Curds
2nd Award
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Jalapeño Bacon
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2020
Natural Snack Cheeses
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Ranch Cheddar Cheese Curds
Hot/Spicy Flavor Category
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Habanero Ghost Pepper Monterey Jack
Processed American Flavored Cheese
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Ghost Pepper American
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2019
Natural Snack Cheeses
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Cajun Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Hickory Bacon Cheddar Cheese Curds
Hot/Spicy Flavor Category
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Habanero Ghost Pepper Monterey Jack
Processed American Flavored Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Swiss Onion Blend Processed Cheese
Processed American Plain Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Swiss American Processed
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2018
Natural Snack Cheeses
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Cajun Cheddar Cheese Curds
Processed American Flavored Cheese
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Jalapeño Pepper American
Processed American Plain Cheese
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, New London Facility, New London, WI
Swiss American Processed
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2017
Class CM: Brick Muenster Cheese – Cow’s Milk
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Red Rind Muenster
Class KM: Flavored Cheeses, Monterey Jack with Flavor Added – All Milks
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Hot Pepper Jack
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Ghost Pepper Jack
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2016
Unique/Mild Flavor Category
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Smoke & Bacon Cheddar
Hot/Spicy Flavor Category
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Hot Pepper Jack
Natural Cheese Curd Snack Category
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Taco Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Garlic Cheddar Cheese Curds
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Cajun Cheddar Cheese Curds
GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
Largest Display of Cheese Varieties, Harbin, China, April 2016
500 cheeses from different countries around the world created the “Largest Display of Cheese Varieties” at the World Dairy Expo in Harbin, China. Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery joined 20 other Wisconsin cheese manufacturers to contribute to the display and World Record designation. Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery had 60 artisan cheese varieties and 5 flavors of natural cheddar cheese curds as part of the display.
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2015
Natural Cheese Category
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Red Rind Muenster
Unique Flavor Category
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Hot Pepper Jack
Natural Cheese Curd Snack Category
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Taco Cheddar Cheese Curds
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Cajun Cheddar Cheese Curds
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2015
Class CB: American Originals, Brick Cheese – Cow’s Milk
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Wisconsin Brick
Class KM: Flavored Cheeses, Monterey Jack with Flavor Added – All Milks
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Hot Pepper Jack
WISCONSIN MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR, 2014
Marketplace Opportunity Award
“Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery has a rich, 104-year history. While the product they manufacture has remained consistent for the past 50 years, their strategy for bringing that product to market has shifted considerably. Throughout the past six years they have been transitioning away from the commodities market to instead focus on building a brand consumers recognize for quality and value. Due to Ellsworth’s extensive marketing efforts their retail stores have become day trip destinations and attract thousands of tourists annually. They draw an astounding 75 percent of their traffic from outside of the area. “
NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2014
Natural Cheese Curd Snack Category
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Ranch Cheddar Cheese Curds
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Garlic Cheddar Cheese Curds
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth Facility, Ellsworth, WI
Natural Cajun Cheddar Cheese Curds
AMERICAN CHEESE SOCIETY COMPETITION, 2013
Class CB: American Originals, Brick Cheese – Made from Cow’s Milk
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Wisconsin Brick
WORLD DAIRY EXPO CHAMPIONSHIP DAIRY PRODUCT CONTEST, 2012
Class 17. Open Class Semi-Soft Cheese
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Havarti, 99.1
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2012
Class 31. Brick, Muenster
2nd Award
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Wisconsin Brick, 98.2
WORLD DAIRY EXPO CHAMPIONSHIP DAIRY PRODUCT CONTEST, 2006
Class 5. Brick/Muenster
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Muenster, 99.5
Class 10. Flavored Natural Cheese Award
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Antonella Jalapeno Peppers, 99.45
WISCONSIN STATE FAIR CHEESE & BUTTER CONTEST, 2004
Class 10. Flavored Natural Cheeses Award
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Swedish Brick Caraway, 99.50
WORLD DAIRY EXPO CHAMPIONSHIP DAIRY PRODUCT CONTEST, 2004
Class Overall Award – Grand Champion
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Mild Wisconsin Brick, 99.85
Class Brick, Muenster Award
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Mild Wisconsin Brick, 99.85
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Muenster, 99.70
3rd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Muenster, 99.65
Class Flavored Natural Award
1st Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Hot Pepper Muenster, 99.30
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Caraway Swedish Brick, 99.20
US CHAMPIONSHIP CHEESE CONTEST, 2003
Class 5. Brick, Muenster Award
2nd Place
Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Comstock Facility, Comstock, WI
Muenster, 98.9
