A large-scale cheese theft in London leaves suppliers and producers in dismay.
- 22 tonnes of cheddar cheese, valued at £300,000, stolen from Neal’s Yard Dairy.
- The fraudster posed as a distributor for a major French retailer, fooling the cheese supplier.
- Despite the loss, Neal’s Yard Dairy continues to support affected producers financially.
- Authorities are actively investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made.
In a striking incident that stunned the artisan cheese world, 22 tonnes of cheddar cheese, estimated to be worth £300,000, was stolen from Neal’s Yard Dairy in London. This audacious theft has left suppliers and producers grappling with the financial impact and emotional distress of the loss.
The cheese was delivered to an individual impersonating a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer. Neal’s Yard Dairy, recognizing the gravity of the situation, opted to absorb the financial loss themselves. “I was really concerned about what it was and the implications of it,” said Tom Calver, director of Westcombe Dairy in Somerset, one of the affected suppliers.
Even though Neal’s Yard has covered the costs, the shockwaves from the theft are reverberating through the small community of artisan producers. Calver expressed his distress over the incident, pointing out that it took him half a day to sell just one cheese at a market following the theft. “It is ridiculous – out of all the things to steal in the world – 22 tonnes of cheese?” he remarked.
Neal’s Yard Dairy and the victims of the theft have since been cooperating with law enforcement to track down the perpetrators. Their efforts, however, have not yet led to any arrests. The bizarre nature of this crime has captured public attention, prompting notable figures like chef Jamie Oliver to discuss it on social media, warning people to be vigilant for stolen cheese being sold cheaply.
Tom Calver highlighted the deeper implications, questioning the trust in the food supply chain. “What worries me is the trust element in things. At the end of the day what we need to have is more trust in the food supply system, rather than less of it,” he stated emphatically. Both he and Neal’s Yard aimed to underscore the importance of supporting local producers by encouraging consumers to buy artisan foods.
The stolen cheese, which included Calver’s Westcombe cheddar, was aged between 12 to 18 months. Calver shared his philosophy of farming, aimed at working in harmony with nature to create distinct flavors. The cheese theft has raised awareness about the value of such artisan products and the need to safeguard them.
The cheese community hopes for quick justice and urges renewed trust in local artisan producers.
