ST. LOUIS – The cheese experts at St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets, Inc. are teaming up with Sartori cheese of Wisconsin to showcase the award-winning Sartori Limited Edition Pastorale Blend cheese for a great cause. From Oct. 1, 2012 – Jan. 1, 2013, the two family-owned companies will partner in a fundraiser benefiting the Make-A-Wish® Missouri and Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin, where this event has special meaning.
Wisconsin is home to the family of Madeline (Maddie) MacDonald, a seven year old who recently lost her hard fought battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Madeline was the daughter of Shawn MacDonald, a longtime friend of Schnucks Cheese Category Manager Derick Rosinsky. Rosinsky said that in sharing Maddie’s story, an idea formed. “Schnucks regularly partners with the Sartori family in bringing unique cheese blends to our customers. Jim and Jane Sartori are also strong supporters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and when their team heard about Maddie, we decided to team up to honor her memory and the organization that attempted to make her last wish come true,” Rosinsky said.
According to Rosinsky, the fundraiser involves 21 Schnucks Cheese Shops as well as the cheese department in the Janesville, Wis. Logli. “These locations will donate $1 per pound of Pastorale cheese sold in the three-month time period. In addition, the Sartori’s have pledged to match those funds up to $4,000,” he said.
The cheese maker’s newest star is a unique earthy blend of cow and sheep milk. “The sweet and nutty taste of the pastorale blend also has a Spanish influence,” said Rosinsky. “It is hand dusted with smoked Spanish paprika. Its intriguing taste can be enjoyed by everyone from the tentative taster to the connoisseur.” Pastorale took first place in the 2012 World Dairy Expo Championship and Grand Champion at the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair.
“Madeline’s wish was to swim with the dolphins at Disney World’s Discovery Cove in Florida. Fighting against time, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was able to get her out of the hospital and in route to Florida in an effort to help her realize her dream which was a great comfort to her family.” Rosinsky says.
Schnucks Cheese Shops are located in larger format stores and offer hundreds of varieties of cheeses. In Schnucks stores without cheese shops, customers will still find a large variety of cheeses and knowledgeable teammates with access to Cheese Shop inventory.
Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 99 stores (including five Logli and six Hilander stores) and 95 in-store pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. Follow Schnucks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Schnucks.
Source: Schnuck Markets, Inc.