10% of our Cheese of the Month sales go to an organization with a mission we are honored to support. In August we’ll contribute to the World Central Kitchen, first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
.
The Second Mouse Cheese of the Month Club is available for pick-up at our Pleasantville shop, or for delivery within Westchester County (at an additional charge). Subscribe for as few or as many months as suits your needs.
Available the third full weekend of each month.
Selections are subject to change based upon availability.
Standard Subscription
Pasteurized Cow Milk, Salt, Cultures, Vegetarian Enzymes
Narragansett Creamery, Providence, RI
The Federico family is the brains, heart & brawn of Narragansett Creamery, focusing on classic, approachable Italian cheese styles. This isn’t their first rodeo, either - the family has been in grocery for generations. Taking full advantage of the highest quality milk New England family-owned dairy farms and co-ops provide, the team at Narragansett produce elegant, rich, full-fat mozzarella, ricotta, and yes, Crescendo, their personal approach to the northern Italian tradition of fresh, lactic, extra soft, easy cheese - Stracchino di Crescenza. “Stracchino” roughly translates to “Tired Cheese,” suggesting these simple cheeses are the product of a weary cow following a trek up and down the steep slopes of northern Italy. The milk tends to be higher in fat content and acidity, creating memorable flavors and texture.
Put Crescendo alongside fresh tomatoes (‘tis the season!), and sprinkle a little sea salt and/or extra virgin olive oil. This is a whole new level of joy.
Pasteurized Cow Milk,, Salt, Cultures, Enzymes
Jasper Hill, Greensboro, VT
This succulent and buttery washed-rind cheese has aromas of peat, roasted beef, and onions – a strong and complex front for the subtle milky, herbal, ripe-peach flavors within. Willoughby’s thin, tender rind adds earthy dimension to the sensorial qualities of its gooey interior. This is a particularly versatile cheese for the adventurous palate. Try it alongside atypical pairings such as miso, cumin, kelp or sesame for an eye-opening culinary sojourn. But if you want the simplest summery meal, try tomato and Willoughby on rice crackers, and maybe sprinkle a little furikake on that bite. C’mon - be bold. Pair Willoughby with a with juicy rose, funky saison beer, a light Pinot Noir or a dirty Martini..
Sheep Milk, Salt, Cultures, Enzymes
Blakesville Creamery, Port Washington, WI
A winner at the 2025 American Cheese Society awards, we couldn’t resist getting a wheel of Mariana in to Second Mouse. This dense, complex, salty and utterly addictive natural rind cheese (also known as a Tomme) is named Mariana Marques de Almeida, a Portuguese livestock expert, has been working for years to breed a flock of high-quality dairy sheep in Wisconsin. It’s no easy feat breeding sheep to flourish in an expansive northern climate such as Wisconsin, but Ms Marques de Almeida seems to have narrowed the focus so well that there’s true potential for profitable domestic sheep dairying. Let’s cheer her on, ideally with a mouthful of cheese. Shave a little Mariana over grilled veggies or serve alongside marinated tomatoes and bitter greens for an exceptionally summery meal.
Mitica Pane di Sardegna Toketti, Sardinia
Seriously, guys. These are fried flatbread and they’re ridiculous on every level.
Syracuse Salt Mediterranean Herb Flake Salt, Syracuse, NY
Inspired by the wonderful flavors of the Mediterranean area, namely Basil, Rosemary, Fennel, Thyme and Sage, this salt blend has a lot more character than one might expect. The natural salt springs of Onondaga Lake, bubbling up from underground deposits, were enjoyed long before Europeans arrived in North America. In 1797, though, the New York State Legislature designated the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation, setting aside land around the lake specifically for salt production and promising the area an industry that changed the landscape—literally and economically - for generations to come. Syracuse became commonly known as “Salt City,” both in regards to the area’s natural resources, and the regular sight of salt on the city’s heavily snowed streets.
Deluxe Subscription
All of the above, plus
Calabrian Organic Chili Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Provisions Add-On
All of the (not Deluxe) above, plus
Barn First Quinby
Goat Milk, Salt, Cultures, Enzymes
Barn First, Westfield, VT
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a goat cheese in this month’s box. Quinby is a young, bright and earthy, seasonal farmstead brie-style goat cheese from the northern stretches of Vermont. A creation of cheesemaker Rebecca Velazquez, this short-life cheese is absolutely perfect right now.
Bella Cucina Arugula and Pine Nut Pesto - not your typical oily blend, Bella Cucina’s pestos feel fresh out of the garden, despite the jar. We love the complexity of peppery arugula and buttery pine nuts in this pesto that serves just as well as a sandwich spread , Italian-esque veggie drizzle or base to a salad dressing.
Our Cheese of the Month Club started as a means of supporting small, regional artisan producers during the hardship of COVID. It was an enormous success, and we’re proud to have given a little boost to the hard working folk who provide us with nourishment and joy. Each month, we also gave 10% of our Club’s sales to a Charity or Agricultural Organization doing something we thought noble. We’ll be keeping that custom moving forward, but expanding the selection a bit to include cheeses from across the US and around the world. Each month will feature small-batch products made by real humans with genuine love for the products they bring to market. Three cheeses, a curated sweet or savory condiment, and crackers or biscuits are always included, as are descriptions of what you’re about to enjoy. Some months may include an added bonus. A collection of artisanal goods, a hint of whimsy, a sprinkling of feel-good, and a hefty portion of delicious. Also - commitments as short as one month. Whatcha waitin’ for?