Nov 11, 2003 — Production resumes this week at Ogdensburg's beleaguered cheese factory. The plant has shut down twice in two years. But its new owner, Ahava Food Corporation of Brooklyn, believes a growing market for kosher foods will pave the way for ambitious growth, including plans to quadruple the plant's workforce. The word 'kosher' refers to ways to produce, prepare, and eat food according to Jewish law. Last week a delegation of rabbis came to Ogdensburg to 'kosherize' the plant, an ambitious task of steaming, scouring, and blowtorching. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Oct 22, 2003 — The Jefferson County town of Calcium celebrated the dietary benefits of milk, cheese, and yogurt yesterday as a part of the national "Got Milk?" dairy campaign. About 150 people in the Watertown area spent 4 months on a high dairy, low calorie diet and lost an average of 14 pounds each. The diet was based on research by Dr. James Hill of the University of Colorado School of Nutrition, who found eating more calcium causes the body to burn more fat. David Sommerstein talked with participant Tony Bova.  Go to full article

Jun 04, 2003 — A bill to extend Empire Zone tax credits and incentives to agricultural cooperatives passed in the state Senate Monday. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Feb 11, 2003 — New York lawmakers are urging U.S. trade representatives to restrict dairy imports from Canada that compete with North Country dairy products. David Sommerstein reports they're making progress as low milk prices continue to hurt farmers.  Go to full article

Dec 05, 2002 — The company that plans to buy McCadam Cheese says cheese manufactured in New York will help it expand its markets. Agri-Mark is a cooperative owned by 1400 farmers throughout New England and New York. David Sommerstein reports McCadam's Chateaugay plant will join Agri-Mark's two processing plants in Vermont and one in Massachusetts.  Go to full article

Dec 04, 2002 — The news of Vermont-based Agri-Mark Coop's purchase of McCadam Cheese Company is good for Franklin County farmers and workers at McCadam's manufacturing plant in Chateaugay, which will stay open.

But Agri-Mark says it will close McCadam's packaging plant in Heuvelton on February 1st after more than a century of operation. More than 100 people will lose their jobs. David Sommerstein reports the effects will be far-reaching for families and businesses in the small St. Lawrence County village.  Go to full article

Sep 18, 2002 — The North Country dairy industry is built on manufacturing. Most of the milk cows produce is turned into something else - cheese, butter, yogurt, milk powder. The relationship between dairy farmers and the processing plants they sell their milk to is a symbiotic one. But like all close relationships, there can be tension, even outright feuds. In the second part of our series on dairy in the North Country, David Sommerstein looks at the relationship from one processor's point of view, who says the future lies in the two groups becoming one.  Go to full article

Sep 17, 2002 — David Sommerstein talks with Julie Suarez of the New York Farm Bureau about how the price of milk is set on the national market.  Go to full article

Jul 08, 2002 — Senator Clinton's visit to the North Country included a stop in Canton to talk with local officials about the future of the Kraft plant. It's been more than 50 years since Kraft has been making cheese at its Canton factory, but corporate officials recently announced they are looking at the plant's efficiency along with others around the country. Closing the plant would leave a ripple effect of lost jobs and business across the North Country. Jody Tosti reports.  Go to full article

Jun 25, 2002 — The makers of Cabot cheese in Vermont are looking into buying the North Country's oldest cheesemaker, McCadam of Heuvelton and Chateaugay. As David Sommerstein reports, the news is the latest indicator of a rapidly changing dairy industry.  Go to full article