Lively Run Dairy, Finger Lakes, New York with Cheesemaker Pete Messme

SoCal Restaurant Show

“Lively Run Dairy in Interlaken, Cayuga Lake, Finger Lakes, NY, is one of the longest operating commercial goat dairies in the country, beginning production in New York in 1982 and pioneering goat cheese in the American marketplace. Lively Run is a family-owned and operated creamery located in the Finger Lakes Region of NY. Steve and Susanne Messmer, and their two sons, Pete and Dave Messmer, own Lively Run Dairy.”

“The Messmer family took over operations in 1995, after Steve Messmer was discharged from military service and brought his family back from Europe in the early 1990s. Susanne took over herd management and cheese making of the operation in 1995, while Steve did morning milkings and all hay making/purchasing and barn cleaning and maintenance. The sons Pete and Dave helped from the beginning, being 6 and 7 years old. Later the boys took over morning and evening farm chores.”

“From a fairly young age, Pete and Dave Messmer have been engulfed in the family farm and cheese making lifestyle. Throughout the years, Steve and Susanne have taught their sons everything they knew about cheese, the cheese making process, and business ownership.”

“Pete took over as head cheese maker from Susanne in 2013. Since then Pete has developed and expanded Lively Run’s product line to include hard aged goat milk and cow milk cheeses. His focus on quality and consistency has been rewarded. Their Cayuga Blue was awarded first place in its class at the American Cheese Society Cheese Contest in 2017. The Finger Lakes Gold Reserve won first prize at the same competition in 2019. It was entered by the judges into the best of show competition, being one of 15 selected cheeses out of a competition entry of over 1,700 cheeses!”

“Lively Run Goat Dairy cheese has long been a favorite of chefs. The cheese is very versatile, easy to store, and chefs use it in all courses. Lively Run Goat cheeses include soft, semi-soft, and hard cheeses. Some of their cheese, such as our Seneca Blue Moon (aged Chèvre), are mold ripened. Lively Run specializes in providing unique artisanal goat cheeses for chefs, who have steadily become their largest clientele over the years .

Both the award-winning artisan Goat’s Milk and Cow’s Milk cheeses are available via their online store. Particular standouts in the Goat Cheese portfolio are the Finger Lakes Gold and the Cayuga Blue.

“Their small volume, high quality production means that Lively Run cheese is exclusive. Lively Run cheese remains a viable and sustainable family farm alternative to industrialized, mass- produced goat cheese, which accommodates discerning chefs and their gourmet or health conscious clientele.”

Artisan 2nd generation Cheesemaker Pete Messmer is our guest.