It All Started in Southern Lancaster County in 1929
Shenk’s Cup Cheese is deeply rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch food culture, when German immigrants laid roots in the rich soil of Pennsylvania in the 1600’s. A descendant of the German cheese Koch Kase (meaning cook cheese), this product became known as “cup cheese” because it was taken to markets in large bowls, warmed and hand dipped into customers’ cups!
Couldn’t wait for my dad to get home from the market with cup cheese.
– Cheryl F
“I had my own market basket when I was a kid. I remember my grandmother and I would stop at the cup cheese stand and they would give me a little cup with a wooden spoon to sample. Loved going to the market.”
– Nancy R.
“I remember Southern Market on South Queen Street where Shenk’s Cup Cheese was dipped out of large tubs to customers you had a choice of mild, medium or sharp, and thick or thin.”
– Bob F.
Couldn’t wait for my dad to get home from the market with cup cheese.
– Cheryl F
“I had my own market basket when I was a kid. I remember my grandmother and I would stop at the cup cheese stand and they would give me a little cup with a wooden spoon to sample. Loved going to the market.”
– Nancy R.
“I remember Southern Market on South Queen Street where Shenk’s Cup Cheese was dipped out of large tubs to customers you had a choice of mild, medium or sharp, and thick or thin.”
– Bob F.
In 1929 dairy farmer Clayton Shenk first produced Cup Cheese with milk from the family farm. As cream was in high demand, the recipe was created to ensure that the remaining skim milk, which is packed with protein and calcium, didn’t go to waste. Its humble beginnings have created a discreet, loyal following of cheese spread lovers. In 2020, Shenk’s Cup Cheese became part of the Dilly Artisan Foods family where the commitment remains strong to the authenticity of its heritage and original recipe.
