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Published on Jun 27, 2022
Marie-Chantal Houde and her brother Jean-Paul started the Fromagerie Nouvelle France cheese factory in 2010 in their hometown of Racine, in the Eastern Townships. They quickly made their way in the cheese industry thanks to their delicious products, made from sheep’s milk.
Established on the family farm, Marie-Chantal and Jean-Paul launched their cheese factory together. “The sheepfold and the cheese factory didn’t exist,” explains Marie-Chantal. “We’re truly proud to have started this project from scratch and to see that today, we have our own cheese factory, in which we’ve been operating since September 2021.” After 10 years of renting facilities inside another business, all production is now done from their own installations, in addition to having set up their boutique. In fact, it’s hard to miss the magnificent building, located in the heart of the village of Racine.
Did you know that to obtain a quantity of milk equivalent to that produced by a single cow, more than twenty ewes are needed? Marie-Chantal explains that, from the very beginning, they ran out of milk to produce enough cheese. By winning the Caseus d’Or award for producing the best cheese in Québec with their Zacharie Cloutier in 2011, the cheese factory thrived at a very rapid pace. Indeed, since they started, the sheepfold has tripled its output and the cheese factory has a twelvefold increase in production. This is why they also work with seven other sheep milk suppliers. “It has allowed us to diversify our products,” says Marie-Chantal, “even if every year we still run out of milk to meet the demand!”
Jean-Paul is responsible for the sheepfold, while Marie-Chantal manages everything relating to the cheese factory. A trained cheesemaker, she enjoys being able to touch everything in the role she has taken on. “I love the creative aspect and staying on top of what’s going on in the business, but I also love being in contact with customers. I want to take the factory to the next level, to make it better in every way, for our employees, our suppliers, and for the customers.”
It’s this will to create wealth through her business, both on an agricultural and human level, that guides Marie-Chantal on a daily basis. An example? The cheese factory is one of the founding members of the Marché Locavore de Racine, where about twenty producers and artisans are present every Saturday morning in the summer. “It’s our way of valorizing the region’s gastronomy and to showcase our terroir products,” says Marie-Chantal. “It’s important to get involved in this way, to show people the quality of our products, where they come from, and the importance of buying local.”
Visit the Fromagerie Nouvelle France boutique in Racine to buy their cheeses and discover a whole array of delicious local products, from wine to beer, including preserves, meat and fish.
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