Champion cheese auctioned for $8,400

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The low-fat Dutch Gouda that won a world cheese championship in Madison last month has been auctioned off for $350 per pound.

The 24-pound wheel of Vermeer brought in $8,400. It was one of 61 cheeses auctioned off Wednesday, for a total haul of more than $140,000.

The private auction was conducted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. Spokesman John Umhoefer said Thursday the money goes toward helping cheesemakers improve their skills, as well as toward providing scholarships for the next generation of cheese producers.

The 61 cheeses were gold-medal winners in their classes at the World Championship Cheese Contest.

The cheese that took top honors was made by Friesland Campina, a company based in Wolvega, Netherlands. The winners were scheduled to receive their award at a ceremony Thursday.

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