Five local entrepreneurs have taken their passion for coagulated milk to the next level by launching a nationwide cheese subscription service. Inspired by a cheese and wine-filled night in Central Otago, the aim of Cheese Cartel is to celebrate small-scale, ethical cheese producers in Aotearoa, to champion them in their journeys, help share their stories, and connect hardcore cheese lovers with the humans that create the really smelly, gooey, creamy stuff. The company is currently pre-selling its first boxes of cheese via crowdfunding site PledgeMe. They're selling three and six-month subscription boxes at $60 per box. The initial cheese run will be limited to 300, so the Cartel can work with small-scale farmers and producers. Delivered direct to your front door in time for Valentine's Day, the first box will contain one surprise item and cheese from four different producers — including the very last wedges of the award-winning Cwmglyn Cheddar by late cheese-maker Biddy Fraser-Davies. Thereafter, cheese will be delivered the second Tuesday of every month. Boasting between 700-900g of cheese, the Cartel's boxes are big enough to share with fellow cheese lovers. Following the initial crowdfunding campaign, the price will jump to $180 for a three-month subscription to $720 for an entire year's worth of cheese dreams. Visit cheesecartel.com for more information.