by News from Steinbach
For many people in Manitoba and Canada, their only connection to the town of New Bothwell, Manitoba, is Bothwell Cheese. My connection goes a bit deeper, even if it got a bit detoured along the way. Nearly three decades ago, when I was in the midst of dating the woman who would later become my wife, I was invited to make my first visit to her home. Her hometown was New Bothwell.
As a young man living in a time before GPS systems in vehicles were prevalent, I relied as we used to in those days, on my general sense of direction. On that evening, my sense of direction was misguided, and I ended up in the town of Lorette.
Eventually, I found my way to New Bothwell and more than a little late, I knocked on the door and mustered some excuse as to why I was late. Fortunately, Kim is a forgiving person, and after 27 years of marriage we still laugh about it today.
My wife’s childhood home, which also housed the New Bothwell Post Office, was immediately beside the Bothwell Cheese factory. And on that night, like for many people I suppose, it was easier for me to identify the communities most famous export than it was for me to find the community itself.
But New Bothwell has put itself on the map not only nationally but also internationally with its award-winning cheese. However, it wasn’t always that way. When the New Bothwell cheese factory opened in 1936, it was one of many dozens that operated in Manitoba. The Bothwell Cheese factory opened, like many others, not because of a great desire to make cheese, but rather as a way to support the dairy industry and to use up excess milk. Farmers would load up raw milk in heavy cans and deliver it directly to the Bothwell Cheese factory to be made into cheese.
Over the years, the number of cheese makers in Manitoba dwindled and now there are only a handful. And Bothwell Cheese has not only survived, it has thrived. It has developed a well-known brand for quality and today offers a growing list of cheese flavors. In fact, more than 25 different varieties of cheese, ranging from traditional to very unique, are offered. These include flavors such as Red Hot Chili Pepper Spicy & Smoky and Red Wine Old Cheddar. And from its original staff compliment of only 3 employees, it has grown today to employ over 60.
Importantly, Bothwell Cheese has also been recognized around the world for the quality of its product. This includes winning awards at Canada’s Western Agribition Cheese Competition, and the British Empire Cheese Show.
Annually in New Bothwell in early June, the New Bothwell Wine and Cheese Festival draws guests from around Manitoba to sample cheese and wine as well as a variety of other local food offerings. Having now been to New Bothwell hundreds of times since my dating days mix up, I am happy to provide directions to anyone hoping to attend next year’s Festival.
Recently you may have heard that there was a significant fire at the New Bothwell Cheese factory. This took place on the morning of Saturday June 1. And while there were fortunately no injuries in the fire, there was extensive damage. Thankfully, a united effort helped to get the plant back into operation about four weeks later.
If you have yet to try Bothwell Cheese, make sure you look for it at your local grocery stores. If you are in Winnipeg, you can also shop at the Fromagerie Bothwell Cheese Shop in St. Boniface located at 136 Provencher Blvd.
Of course, if you are up for a drive, you can also put the town of New Bothwell in your GPS and take the short trip southeast of Winnipeg to the New Bothwell Cheese factory itself. Cheese is available at the factory store and it is the best way to get the freshest famous New Bothwell cheese curds.
There are many Manitoba business success stories that have their roots in humble beginnings. The common thread is that it takes strong local support to ensure that these businesses can continue to thrive through various stages of growth and economic environments. New Bothwell Cheese stands tall as one of those Manitoba stories. The level of success that they have achieved hasn’t been as easy as just saying cheese, but it is enough to put a smile on the faces of most Manitobans.
Kelvin Goertzen is the current MLA for the constituency of Steinbach. He has served in several Cabinet roles including Manitoba Premier and Deputy Premier.
