General
How long will the cheese last once purchased if left unopened and refrigerated?
Our cheeses are good from 6 months to 1 year. They will generally get sharper with age.
How should cheese be stored?
Cheese must be stored under refrigeration at temperatures of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below but not below freezing. Keep the cheese tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight zip-locked bag. Cheese will travel well in an air-conditioned vehicle but should not be left in a parked vehicle during hot weather.
Can I freeze the cheese?
Freezing the cheese is not recommended because the cheese will become extremely crumbly after having been frozen. If you do freeze the cheese, thaw (in the refrigerator) only the portion that you will be using immediately. Grated cheese can be frozen to be used in casseroles.
How long is the cheese aged?
All MSU cheese is aged for at least ninety days. Aging makes the cheese sharper and more flavorful.
What is Vallagret cheese?
Vallagret was developed several years ago by an MSU graduate student in the Food Science and Technology Department. Vallagret is a Norwegian type of Swiss cheese. It is not as sharp as Swiss and has a sweeter, nuttier flavor than Swiss.
Holiday Orders
When can I place my holiday order?
Holiday Ordering will begin in August 13 of 2024. We are currently talking orders now through November 25, 2024.
When will you begin shipping for the holidays?
We will begin shipping holiday orders November 4, 2024 for orders placed starting in August 2024.
When is the last day to pick up holiday orders?
The last day to pick up orders will be December 9, 2024.
Can I pay for my holiday order when I pick it up at the store?
All pickup orders must be paid the day you place your order.
Can I pick up part of my holiday order one day and pick up the rest on another day?
You must pick up your entire holiday order when you come to the store. We suggest placing two pick up orders in this scenario.
Can I have cheese reserved for me and place my order later?
Unfortunately, the only way to ensure you will get the items you want is to place your order and pay before the items sell out.
I have multiple people I would like to ship some of your items to and would also like to pick up some of your items for myself. Is that possible?
Yes! You will have to place a multi-ship order to your recipients, and then place an additional order for yourself for pickup or come into the store and purchase your items through our point-of-sale. We recommend you place your order and pay for a pickup order to ensure you will be able to get the items you want before they sell out.
Is there a period of time after placing my holiday order where I can make changes?
Orders cannot be changed after 48 hours of placing the order.
Shipping Information
The MAFES Sales Store ships cheese products every Monday from November to April each year. Orders to U.S. addresses are shipped through the United Parcel Service (UPS) Ground Service; deliveries to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, military boxes, and all P. O. boxes are shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS). Non-dairy products are shipped every Monday from mid-November to June 30. Non-dairy products are not shipped from July through mid-November. Once shipped, orders generally take 2-5 days to arrive, depending on shipped location.
The MAFES Sales Store must be notified in writing of orders not received within 30 days of the ship date. When notified, the Sales Store will track the package. If items were not shipped and/or delivered, the Sales Store will either ship the package, depending on the time of year, or issue a refund. The MAFES Sales Store is not responsible for orders shipped to invalid addresses.
Orders may also be picked up the MAFES Sales Store on the MSU campus.
Returns and Refunds
As part of our customer service commitment, the MAFES Sales Store stands behind our farm-fresh products. We want you to be happy with our products, as our customers have been for over 80 years. If for any reason you’re unsatisfied we encourage you to contact us weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm CST at 662-325-2338 or via email at msucheese@mafes.msstate.edu.
All items are sold on a non-refundable, non-returnable basis unless defective. For delivered items, please check that all items received are what you have ordered. If you have received an incorrect item, please do not open it. We can not accept any returns of items that have been opened, tampered with, or not in their original condition.
If your product arrived damaged or contaminated in any way, please contact us directly. We will do our best to resolve the issue.
Please DO NOT return any product without contacting us first for specific information regarding the return process.
Returns
For instances where a product is defective, damaged, or contaminated, you must contact us within 14 days of receiving your shipment, and we will work with you to resolve the issue.
Contact and Address Information
Phone: (662) 325-2338
Fax: (662) 325-9687
Physical address:
Glass Annex – Herzer Building
925 Stone Boulevard
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Privacy Policy
The MSU privacy statement can be found here: https://www.msstate.edu/privacy