We Know Our Sources: Miceli Dairy Products
The following story was written by Heinen’s partner Elaine T. Cicora.
Good fortune – and great flavor – have been the key ingredients in the longstanding partnership between Heinen’s and Cleveland-based Miceli Dairy Products Company.
Now in its third generation, this family-owned and -operated maker of fine Italian cheeses traces its relationship with Heinen’s back to the 1950s, when local cheesemaker John Miceli decided to reach out to local grocer, Joe Heinen.
“It was my grandfather’s good fortune that Joe was willing to sell Miceli’s ricotta and mozzarella at his Shaker Heights store,” says Maria Miceli, the company’s Vice President of Marketing and admitted cheese-lover. “The two entrepreneurs ended up striking up a friendship that lasted for decades, I think because they shared the same philosophy of doing things right – for your customers, your associates, and your suppliers.”
The Origins of Miceli Dairy Products
John Miceli was only 15 years old when he started selling his traditional Italian cheeses from the back of a Model T pickup truck. Having found an enthusiastic market among his Italian neighbors, in 1949 he launched a manufacturing facility near the family home in the Buckeye-Woodhill area of Cleveland. Today, Miceli’s Dairy Products Company remains in that same location, although demand has led to notable growth.
“The past 10 to 15 years has seen our fastest rate of expansion, ever,” says Maria. “We’ve gone from 60 to 250 employees and increased our production capacity by 30%. And we’ve recently been able to acquire more property, so now we have about 30 acres of land for our campus.”
The company’s investment reflects its hometown allegiance. “We’ve had the opportunity to move the company elsewhere,” she admits, “but we feel a deep connection to Cleveland and feel very strongly about staying here.”
Flavorful, Artisanal Cheeses
Today, John Miceli’s little business is known nationwide, with sales to restaurants, institutions, and food manufacturers, as well as grocers and other retailers. For Miceli’s branded products, however, Cleveland is still the company’s largest market – and Heinen’s is its top retailer.
“We have a very loyal following in our hometown,” says Maria. “And Heinen’s shoppers, in particular, have always appreciated the quality of our products.”
Tops among those products is ricotta – a creamy, versatile cheese found in everything from lasagna to cheesecake. Miceli’s has grown into one of the nation’s largest ricotta manufacturers and considers the cheese its signature product.
“That was the first cheese that my grandfather made and it’s something that we continue to take a lot of pride in,” says Maria. “We use the same recipes that he used, and it’s definitely our most popular product.”
Miceli’s ricotta is also a Heinen’s best seller, available in varieties that include traditional, lite, and part-skim, in 15- and 30-ounce containers.
Mozzarella, another one of John Miceli’s original products, is also a signature item; the 16-ounce mozzarella pear is especially popular among Heinen’s shoppers, in both regular and lite varieties. (Other options include string cheese and fancy shredded mozzarella.)
A Commitment to Ethical Sourcing
Of course, all cheeses begin with top-quality milk; and for Miceli’s, that means sourcing the best possible product from dairy farms and co-ops throughout the region. The company’s quality standards are high and include a sustainable procurement program that requires all milk suppliers to actively participate in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management certification program; suppliers are also required to follow a policy ensuring the well-being and humane treatment of all farm animals at all times.
As it turns out, the Miceli family got some first-hand experience in dairy farming themselves, during the 1990s, when they purchased more than 150 acres of farmland in central Ohio. Drivers headed to Columbus on 1-71 have undoubtedly seen the tidy white barn with “Miceli’s” inscribed across the roof. “That was our dairy farm,” says Maria, “cows and all.” While the farming experiment didn’t last too long, Maria says it provided great insight. “That’s why we are so sensitive about picking the right farmers and ensuring that they treat their animals humanely,” she says. “That experience definitely lent itself to our mentality.”
Miceli’s sustainable mentality extends beyond dairy farming and includes corporate initiatives for water conservation, electricity reduction, reusing and recycling, streamlining the waste system and maintaining green space.
“We try to keep our carbon footprint small and be as efficient as we can be,” says Maria, “all while maintaining the highest levels of quality and freshness.”
John Miceli never retired from his business, working right up until his death at the age of 91. “He loved the way the company was growing, and I think he would have been very excited about our current status,” says Maria. “And he remained very proud of the friendship he forged with Joe Heinen.”
A Shared Legacy
That’s a legacy the two companies continue to embrace. “We really value our relationship with Heinen’s,” says Maria. “They have always been so supportive of us, and we always try to give them our very best in return – including making Heinen’s our first stop whenever we’re pioneering a new product.”
After all, Maria says, Miceli’s and Heinen’s – both family-owned, family-operated, and Cleveland-based – have plenty in common.
“We both value our customers, respect our employees, and always strive to provide products of the highest quality possible,” she reflects. “So it’s been really special seeing how these family businesses have grown and how we’ve stayed connected over all these years. The children, and grandchildren, and now the great-grandchildren: We all still share the same values. “It’s just a really cool thing.”
