Early Beginnings
The Favorite story begins with the first Iowa creamery starting in Orange City, IA at the corner of 7th St SW and Delaware Ave SW. At the beginning, Favorite was owned by the Orange City Co-op and was located outside of town in a field. The Favorite brand was known for manufacturing milk, butter, ice cream and cheese out of dairy cows. A local named Fred Dykstra worked at the plant as a young lad and would walk to work picking up the empty milk bottles as he came into work. The delivery man would then drop off the milk and other products to the local community members.
Then, the industrialized revolution soon caught up to this small local cheese producer and the Orange City Co-op sold off the Favorite creamery to other larger scale dairy producers. Shortly, after the Favorite creamery acquisition the local plant was closed and the manufacturing process was brought into their larger plants cutting their costs by using the assembly lines to improve efficiencies. Upon the closure of the plant, the plant was retrofitted for other uses and Northwestern College eventually purchased the property.
The Favorite company was eventually dissolved and the local creamery was lost to the tides of time. As you drive by the old brick building, you can no longer recognize the building as a cheese plant. The town has grown completely around the property and the towns people no longer remember the thriving creamery.
To A Fresh Re-start
After years of dormancy and fading into history, James Dykstra and Justin Korver began discussing the idea of starting a goat creamery. Justin, a passionate cheese-making hobbyist, had been crafting goat cheese for family and friends. Together, James and Justin researched the possibilities of launching a goat dairy operation, discovering a strong market demand for both soft and hard goat cheeses.
With a clear vision, they recruited their families and committed to building a goat creamery. Justin and his wife, Brittany, had been raising goats since their 4-H days, gaining extensive knowledge of goat care and cheesemaking. Their collective expertise led to the decision to create a facility dedicated to producing high-quality hard and soft goat cheeses.
As they moved forward, Justin proposed naming the company Favorite, LLC, paying homage to the original Iowa creamery in Orange City. On February 1, 2023, Favorite, LLC was officially established, and by spring, construction began on a new goat dairy plant, reviving the legacy of artisanal cheese production in Iowa.
Our Favorite Story Now Begins!!
Fast forward to today, and Favorite, LLC is finally here! As a dedicated Iowa creamery, we are passionate about sharing our love for cheese and gelato with the world. We proudly offer a curated selection of the finest goat cheeses from around the globe, along with unique and delightful goat gelato flavors.
But have we mentioned our deep love for all things goat? At our goat creamery, we embrace the incredible flavors and textures that goat dairy products bring to the table (or should we say, the cheeseboard?).
At Favorite, LLC, we celebrate the rich and diverse world of goat dairy. Our collection features everything from fresh, tangy chèvre to rich, creamy aged goat cheeses. And let’s not forget our goat gelato—crafted to perfection with the smooth, refreshing texture of gelato infused with the unique citrusy and slightly tangy notes of goat milk. It’s a flavor adventure like no other!
Whether you're a seasoned cheese connoisseur or new to the world of goat gelato, we have something special for you. Stay tuned as we explore the best pairing recommendations, serving suggestions, and exciting ways to enjoy the finest products from our Iowa creamery. Get ready to experience the magic of artisanal goat cheese and gelato!