#GSV Member Monday Feature

June is Dairy Month and we just couldn’t wait to tell you about Golden Glen Creamery in Bow on this #GSVMemberMonday. Golden Glen Creamery’s owner Norma Ruiz first fell in love with cattle at her grandfather’s dairy in Mexico, where they milked 20-25 cows. Fast forward to 2023, she is the proud owner of Ruiz Farm and Golden Glen Creamery, which milks around 150 Holstein and Jersey cows at the dairy farm in Bow, WA. The Creamery has produced artisan cheeses since 2004, partnering with numerous restaurants, farmstands and wineries in the region.

Norma and all three generations of her family manage the farm and the creamery themselves, starting with Norma’s mother Maria and father Juan helping out as well as daughter Zalaika and Norma’s brothers Livan & Nazaire as well as sister Bennette.

Norma is proud to say that her farm and creamery are woman and minority owned. “I feel very fortunate to be a minority woman owned business. I’m very proud to represent my heritage and family. I was a little girl with a big dream and the support of my family got me to where I am.  I can say to never give up on your dream, the obstacles are there to make you want the dream even more.” says Norma.

Golden Glen Creamery offers a variety of butters, Cheddars, goudas, fresh mozzarella, feta, cheese curds, forage blanc, and creme fraiche. Their signature product is River Cheddar, that is made with double cream. Golden Glen Creamery is also known for its authentic cheese curds (squeaky cheese). Best sellers include River Cheddar, Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Cheddar, and their Dill and Garlic Cheddar. Norma’s personal favorite are the Cheddar curds because “I can eat them by the pound.” 

Golden Glen creamery is a farmstead operation, with means that the milk they use for their butters, cheeses and cultured products all come right there from their very own farm. Their cheese is made using traditional methods of cheesemaking – no machines. The farm has a partnership with Darigold and has been a featured farm on their website.

In 2023, Norma and her family opened a new farm store located at 9065 Chuckanut Road, in Bow. The farm store is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 12pm to 4pm and features cheese and butter from the Creamery as well as other locally made products from Bow Hill Blueberries, Sauk Farm, and freshly scooped ice cream cones made from Lopez Island Creamery ice cream, with more offerings coming this summer.

We recently caught up with Norma to find out what her favorite Skagit Valley fruit and/or vegetable was. Those of us who know Norma, know what a great sense of humor she has. So it was no surprise when Norma’s clever response was, “I would say, strawberries and potatoes. Margaritas and vodka are the reason why 😂, they also grow locally.” We love your good nature and sense of humor, Norma!

Golden Glen Creamery participates in Skagit Valley’s Festival of Family Farms every autumn. This year’s festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 7th & 8th, 2023. We hope to see you this fall in celebrating the farm, the creamery and the Ruiz Family.