Old Amsterdam Cheese, the market leader in branded aged gouda in Holland and a product of the third generation, 100% family owned and run Westland Cheese Company names Norseland as the Old Amsterdam distribution partner in Canada.

Norseland is a wholly owned subsidiary of TINE SA, a cooperative of more than 13,000 dairy farmers in Norway. Norseland is best known for producing and importing of the iconic Jarlsberg cheese, but the family of brands is very diverse, including the top specialty brands that span Europe and combine traditional recipes, passed down through family generations, with modern cheesemaking techniques.   

“We at Old Amsterdam are delighted to expand our distribution of Old Amsterdam into Canada by partnering with Norseland," says Rob van Mourik, Commercial Manager Export for Old Amsterdam in North America. "Old Amsterdam has enjoyed great success working with Norseland in the U.S. and expects the same success amongst the trade in Canada,” adds Mourik.

“We at Norseland Canada are excited to extend the relationship with Old Amsterdam into the Canadian market. We are thrilled to represent the Premium Aged Gouda brand and bring it to our local retailers,” says Christoph Preusser, Branch Manager, Canada, Norseland Inc.

The current line includes Old Amsterdam Classic, the number-one Aged Gouda in Holland, and Old Amsterdam Goat Gouda, named the number one Hard goat’s milk cheese in the world.

Old Amsterdam Cheese leads the branded aged gouda market in Holland, and overall Gouda cheese continues to grow in Canada and worldwide. Both gouda and goat cheese have risen in popularity among specialty cheeses over the past year. Premium and specialty cheeses continue to perform well with more people eating and entertaining at home, and many Canadians have expanded beyond traditional favorites to full-flavored specialty products.

All Old Amsterdam gouda cheese products are produced using high quality ingredients, providing a good source of calcium and protein; and being naturally lactose-free, and gluten-free.

Old Amsterdam’s cheeses have won numerous awards in the past, including Best Aged Gouda and Best Hard Goat’s Milk Cheese at the World Championship Cheese Contest (U.S.), and Best Dutch Cheese at The International Cheese and Dairy Awards (U.K.).

During the 2020 World Champion Cheese Contest in Wisconsin, Old Amsterdam Goat won “Best in Class,” achieving the highest score from over 30 entries from six countries and was voted the #1 Hard Goat’s Milk cheese in the world. The judges called it "a fantastic cheese with sweet notes and a nice body" and chose it in the Top 20 cheeses of the show. This was a major achievement as nearly 4,000 cheeses were entered.

About Old Amsterdam Cheese

Old Amsterdam is a premium Gouda brand with a character all its own. Its Gouda assortment offers unique, rich flavors and enticing, creamy or smooth textures with ripening crystals in the aged varieties. The products are the result of authentic family recipes and a tireless passion for cheese. Old Amsterdam is a brand of the family-owned Westland Cheese Company. Old Amsterdam is distributed in the US and Canada by Norseland.

About Westland Cheese Company

The Westland Cheese Company is a family business that originates from the early 20th century (1936) and is in Huizen (Holland). Westland is 100 percent family-owned, and led by Mrs. Henny Westland, with its third-generation management currently handling the business. Old Amsterdam Cheese is the flagship brand & product and currently exported to more than 65 countries around the world.