Say Cheese with These Great Rhode Island Purveyors

Sweet and Salty Farm.

This article was updated from an earlier version that was published in the March 2019 issue.

Here’s where to source all the meat and cheese goods for your home charcuterie boards, feta pasta challenge and grilled cheese sammies. These Rhode Island shops and cheese markets stock locally made and hard-to-find imported cheddars, chevres, burrata and more for an epic cheese board.

Sweet and Salty Farm
Grass-fed Jersey cows are the source of the aged and soft, young cheeses created by husband and wife team, Andrew Morley and Laura Haverland, in Little Compton. Their creations have whimsical names such as Little Pepper (a gooey, yeasty cheese) and Peach Fizz (a firm rind cheese that’s washed with sparkling wine from nearby Westport Rivers Vineyard). “We enjoy what we make,” says Morley. “We eat it all the time.” The dairy also produces yogurt (available at stores like Dave’s, Eastside Marketplace and Whole Foods). Look for the products at farmers markets in Providence, including the Farm Fresh Wintertime Market from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on Saturdays at 10 Sims Avenue in Providence. Join their email list to receive a weekly email that has the current availability of products for contactless and pre-paid pickup in Little Compton each weekend, as well as information on which markets they’re attending. They accept orders each Monday through Wednesday night, which you can pick up at the farm in Little Compton Friday through Sunday each weekend. 68 Shaw Rd., Little Compton, sweetandsaltyfarm.com

Narragansett Creamery
Family-owned Narragansett Creamery in Providence produces more than fifteen varieties of cheese, including mozzarella, Gouda, ricotta and burrata, and the cheese world has taken notice. The company’s tangy Crescendo, a creamy rindless cheese, and Salty Sea Feta have earned awards. Local favorites include Renaissance Ricotta and Mediterranean-style Grilling Cheese. “It’s like grilled cheese without the bread,” says owner Mark Federico. The company also produces yogurt, and the feta cheese still sells out quickly due to a viral #FetaPasta TikTok challenge video. Find products at farmers markets and supermarkets. richeeses.com

Simmons Farm
Goats rule at this 120-acre farm that’s been family-owned since the seventeenth century. They’re star attractions of the farm’s goat yoga classes, pet and cuddle events and goat hikes. And for the past decade, co-owner Karla Simmons has been transforming their milk into creamy chevre. Chevre flavors include plain, herbs de Provence, cranberry walnut, garlic and herb and pumpkin spice. The farm also sells beef, pork and poultry, sausages, bacon, eggs and veggies, plus meat-free seitan. Buy products through the Simmons CSA program, at the farm stand and at farmers markets. 1942 West Main Rd. (across from Prescott Farm), Middletown, 848-9910, simmonsorganicfarmri.com

From left. A selection of cheese from Sweet and Salty Farm and Narragansett Creamery. Courtesy Sweet and Salty Farm and Narragansett Creamery.

Cheese-Worthy Shops

Cheese takes the stage at these stores. Most also offer gourmet food items such as baguettes, charcuterie and pate, and will create custom cheese platters.

Edgewood Cheese Shop and Eatery
This shop stocks about fifty goat, sheep and cow’s milk cheeses, domestic and imported, and charcuterie and other food products, as well as a takeout menu of cheese and charcuterie boards and grilled panini. They also often offer specially curated platters for occasions like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. 1828 Broad St., Cranston, 401-941-2400, edgewoodcheeseshop.com

Grapes and Gourmet
Tucked in the old ferry landing in Jamestown, this shop offers domestic, imported and raw cheeses as well as an impressive selection of wine (organic and natural wine too), craft beer and liquor. 9 East Ferry Wharf, Jamestown, 401-423-0070, grapesandgourmet.com

The Cheese Wheel Village Market
The shop offers about more than 175 types of cheese, both imported and domestic, plus charcuterie and snacks. A local favorite: Triple Play, a Wisconsin cheddar made from cow, goat and sheep’s milk. 3838 Main Rd., Tiverton, 401-816-5069, thecheesewheelri.com

Milk and Honey
This longtime Tiverton resident now has digs in Portsmouth. There you’ll find more than 100 varieties of domestic and imported sheep, cow and goat cheeses — raw and pasteurized — as well as assorted honeys. Milk and Honey is also always expanding their selection by introducing new meats, charcuterie and specialty food items. 1016 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, 401-624-1974, milkandhoneyri.com

Newport Wine Cellar and Gourmet
The gourmet side of this pair of shops carries about fifty imported and domestic cheeses with the wine cellar boasting more than 600 lables of vino. Bonus: The shop also sells gift boxes that are easily customizable according to your budget and recipient’s interests. Shipping and local delivery are available. 5 Merton Rd., Newport, 401-619-3966, newportwinecellar.com

Mozz Newport
Taking over the old Newport Creamery location, Mozz Newport is the city by the sea’s newest specialty cheese shop. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Luca and Christina Mignogna, Mozz offers up in-house artisan cheeses like burrata, scamorza and mozzarella, caciocavallo and buffalo mozzarella (no hot sauce involved here, just the milk of Mediterranean water buffalo), along with a wide variety of local and imported cheeses you won’t find in grocery stores. Visit the store in person or shop online. 181 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 401-324-7065, mozznewport.com