Madison Hosted Fourth Annual Cheese Fair

Local producers showcased dairy products to attendees around the State Capitol.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Food and Drink

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of artisan cheese wheels resting on a wooden table with the Wisconsin State Capitol dome silhouette in distance. — Madison held its fourth annual Cheese Fair on September 26, 2026, featuring local producers at an event near the State Capitol. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you prefer buying dairy products from local producers over those from large-scale commercial companies?

Madison held the fourth annual Cheese Fair Off the Square on September 26, 2026. Cheesemakers from across Wisconsin offered samples to the public near the State Capitol.

Why it matters

The event serves to provide regional dairy producers with increased business visibility and direct access to local customers. It highlights the prominence of Wisconsin dairy manufacturing in the local economy.

The event has now reached its fourth year of operation in Madison. Meanwhile, participating vendor White Jasmine brings 15 years of operational history to the local market.

The players

Chalet Cheese

This is a Wisconsin-based cheesemaker that participated in the event.

Ron's Wisconsin Cheese

This is a regional dairy producer that showcased its products to attendees.

Renard's Cheese

This is a cheesemaker that contributed to the local dairy showcase.

White Jasmine

This company is a local business with 15 years of experience that participated in the fair.

Babcock Dairy

This dairy operator is based in Madison.

The details

Participating cheesemakers, including Chalet Cheese, Ron's Wisconsin Cheese, Renard's Cheese, and White Jasmine, utilized milk from regional farms to craft their dairy products. Attendees sampled a variety of these locally produced items throughout the day.

September 26, 2026: The fourth annual Cheese Fair Off the Square took place.

Industry Dynamics

The event follows the established trend of hosting localized public fairs to drive visibility for artisan dairy products. This mirrors broader efforts by state producers to connect directly with consumers in an increasingly competitive food market.

Attendees were able to sample a wide range of dairy products directly from the manufacturers during the one-day event. The fair provided a unique opportunity for local residents to purchase specialty items directly from Wisconsin-based producers.

The takeaway

Supporting regional dairy producers can provide residents with access to higher-quality products while boosting the local economy. Consumers interested in these products can often find these specific vendors at local markets throughout the year.