Author Topic: Does Grande Sell To The Public? How Did You Buy Their Products? (Read 40519 times)

chickenparm · « **on:** October 18, 2011, 01:28:14 AM »

I was wondering how some of you purchase their products.I have no stores in my area that carry it.

I emailed Grande and told them I wanted to know where to purchase Grande Cheese in KY.This is the reply I was sent back posted below.I simply filled out a form online,told them my name,email address and where I was located,state,etc,and wanted to know where I could find this brand of cheese in KY near my location.The reply from them really created more questions than answers.

They replied:

Grande Cheese is an Italian cheese manufacturing company based in Wisconsin. Please provide your shop name, contact name, shop address, city, state, zip code and phone number. After receiving this information our Area Manager will contact you to answer your questions.

Thank you for your interest in Grande Cheese Company

They did not answer my questions at all.That said,I do not own a Business or a shop,so am I out of luck? I did not reply back yet,but do they sell to the public at all?

BrickStoneOven · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2011, 07:58:46 AM »

They sent me an email with places that sold their cheese but they were all in NYC. So when I went to nyc the beginning of last year I went to a bunch of the places and none sold their cheese. When I posted on here, ScottR told me there was a place about 45 minutes away from me that sold all the Grande cheeses.

All I gotta say about the people at Grande are that they are dummies.

Your best bet is to call more places in and around your area, call as far as you are willing to drive to get some. Wholesale places are more likely to have it then supermarkets. But honestly it's not worth the cost and what you have to go through to get your hands on some.

If you do find some see if they have the "Italian Blend" which is 50/50 skim mozz/provo which is good, it has a nice salty bite to it. The "East Coast blend" didn't really have any taste, it was bland, this one is 50/50 Skim/Whole milk mozzarella.

norma427 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2011, 08:39:09 AM »

Bill,

I can't even buy Grande cheese, unless I go to Bova Foods or Reading because I am not a big enough pizza business (unless I would buy a large amount and then freeze it). I would need a big minimum order to be able to purchase Grande cheese. If I want a small amount of Grande cheese, I have to buy it from some of my larger pizza businesses. I pay 5.00 a lb. when I buy it at our local pizza shop.
When I first started my small pizza stand, I did purchase all Grande cheese from a local pizza business and he gave it to me for the same price he paid for it, but wouldn't give me a slip that I purchased any. That was the reason I stopped buying the Grande for my market stand. I since have found I do like other other mozzarella cheeses that can be purchased from distributors. If I have leftover grated cheese from one week to the next, the other mozzarella cheeses hold up better than Grande, at least for me.

Norma

scott123 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2011, 08:51:49 AM »

Considering how much of the pizzeria market Grande has, it's a shame they haven't made any inroads into the retail arena. It's so different than your average supermarket mozzarella that it almost might be worth marketing as a different cheese.

As far as it not being worth the cost or the hassle... I disagree. The way it melts, the way it tastes, the way it smells- nothing comes close. I'm in the NY area and am surrounded by pizzerias that use Grande, but even I can't find a retail source for small amounts. I'm sure as heck not giving up trying, though.

It's probably a pipe dream, but perhaps if enough people pressured Grande to put out a retail version of their cheese, they might take it seriously. Sure, most people just grab whatever mozzarella that's on sale, but I think there's enough people who take cheese seriously to make Grande work at a higher end supermarket level.

Mark Polo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2011, 10:21:38 AM »

I get Grande Cheese from MaineSource Food and Party Supply. The have several stores in the Syracuse, Binghamton, Scranton and Wilkes Barre areas. They supply a full range of Grande Products, and I like the six pound loaf of Grande whole milk mozzarella. I believe it is for 2.50 a pound, so the price is right. I think Grande is one of the key factors that has put my NY pie over the top, with rave reviews by family and friends. I keep trying others, including Polly-O, and they just don't cut it. I suggest calling the restaurant supply stores in your area and inquiring. Mark

chickenparm · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:14:40 AM »

Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone.

The problem I have,there are no real Pizza shops out here.I do not even think Grande is even delivered around here.Chain pizza is what is the norm around here,and there are NO mom/pop style pizza shops around here anyway.I cannot recall anywhere I went to in KY that even uses Grande cheese.

I do have a GFS,or Gordon's Food Store.They are not much help though.For example,They sell the large number 10 cans of 6 in 1's All Purpose ground tomatoes,but cannot get me the other version I asked about.I asked them to see if they could order me the 6 in 1's peeled tomatoes,and they were no help.

Turns out,the manager in the store said he can only order whats in the book,and he showed me it as well.
There was no option for the can of tomatoes I wanted.My point of this was to show how difficult it is,even to get a supplier store to obtain other,non listed items.Escalon might sell it to me themselves,but thats for another topic.I wanted to see what my local GFS could do,and its not much.

I can make really good pizza these days,using store bought cheeses,but I KNOW it can be better if I could buy a better cheese for it.

Heck,I would be happy with a cheese that performed like Grande or other similar versions would be great!

I want something that melts white,doesn't break down after the first heat,and doesn't burn.I want it to reheat white and melt again if needed.The store bought stuff cannot do this or come close.I have tried every brand I could ever find in the local stores.Most are fine for a one time bake,but still doesn't taste or melts as good as Grande or others like it.

hammettjr · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2011, 10:04:02 PM »

I order from Pennmac, which is fine if you're willing to pay for FedEx. (Or make small amounts of pizza like me.)

Scott, there was a post a while back mentioning a cash and carry on long island that sells it, though I haven't made it there yet to confirm. I'll find the name if you're interested.

There's also the new retail line from by grande called Piacci. Has anyone tried it?

Matt

scott123 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2011, 10:17:38 PM »

Matt, thanks, but Long Island is too far for me. I'm on the other side of the Hudson

By the time I pay gas to LI, I could buy a large loaf, toss what I don't use and still be ahead of the game financially. Thanks, though.

chickenparm · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2011, 10:23:25 PM »

Quote from: hammettjr on October 25, 2011, 10:04:02 PM

I order from Pennmac, which is fine if you're willing to pay for FedEx. (Or make small amounts of pizza like me.)

Scott, there was a post a while back mentioning a cash and carry on long island that sells it, though I haven't made it there yet to confirm. I'll find the name if you're interested.

There's also the new retail line from by grande called Piacci. Has anyone tried it?

Matt

Matt,
Thank you for posting this.I completely forgot about PennMac and I recall that company name being brought up a few times in the past.

I will try them soon and see what they can tell me.I would imagine I might need to order overnight or shipped with cooling materials?

Thanks.

hammettjr · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:16:16 AM »

No problem Bill. The shipping info is on their website. I believe all shipments are FedEx and with dry ice. They state that shipments to the west coast must use express shpping. I'm not sure. How far you are from Pittsburg, but you may be within their 'regular' shipping range.

Scott, understood, it's best to avoid that trip unless you enjoy traffic

rohfan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2011, 11:37:00 AM »

Quote from: hammettjr on October 25, 2011, 10:04:02 PM

Scott, there was a post a while back mentioning a cash and carry on long island that sells it, though I haven't made it there yet to confirm. I'll find the name if you're interested.

Matt

That would be my post, I believe. The place is called "Sansone" and they're located at 2133 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park, LI, New York. 516-746-3695. Very reasonable prices. I bought the Grande 50/50 5# grated bag and I think it was in the high 20-low 30 dollar range if I remember correctly.

Essen1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2011, 12:15:27 PM »

Bill,

I don't know if this will help but Grande has put out their cheese on a retail level under the label "Piacci". I'd check on their website to see if any of their cheese are available in your area:

http://www.piacci.com/

Good luck.

chickenparm · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2011, 12:23:10 PM »

Thanks Mike.I went onto the site but theres nothing available in my area,as always.

Regarding Penn mac,I'm located within the 2nd day delivery zone,so I will order from there soon.I can't wait to try some better cheese this time around.

Essen1 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2011, 12:31:53 PM »

Quote from: chickenparm on October 27, 2011, 12:23:10 PM

Thanks Mike.I went onto the site but theres nothing available in my area,as always.

Regarding Penn mac,I'm located within the 2nd day delivery zone,so I will order from there soon.I can't wait to try some better cheese this time around.

Bill,

Bummer. $:-\$

Do you have Whole Foods around? They sell the Grande, too.

chickenparm · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2011, 05:25:22 PM »

Mike,

No whole foods around either.

We have a lot of food stores out here but they just don't carry the good stuff I want to buy.

I can get kraft,polly o,sargento or sorrentos,and some fresh mozz made by belgiosio or however you spell it.I can get whole milk mozz from Gordons Food service,but thats about the best I can find.The problem with all of them,except for GFS,they are all too expensive for their level of quality.Im just not happy with using these local store cheeses.GFS cheese is OK,but I want better.

I will be glad to pay 7 bucks a lb for Grande than to pay 5-6 bucks a LB for Polly or another type.Heck,Boars head mozz cheese is 10 bucks a lb if you have a store order it around here.Thats crazy.

Also,They dont have delis around here either.The deli is inside walmart,if you get my meaning.Can't get the better cold cuts like in the big cities.Mail order seems to be easier than trying to drive all over the state looking for stuff.

hammettjr · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2011, 10:37:08 PM »

Quote from: Essen1 on October 27, 2011, 12:15:27 PM

Bill,

I don't know if this will help but Grande has put out their cheese on a retail level under the label "Piacci". I'd check on their website to see if any of their cheese are available in your area:

http://www.piacci.com/

Good luck.

Quote from: chickenparm on October 27, 2011, 12:23:10 PM

Thanks Mike.I went onto the site but theres nothing available in my area,as always.

Either there's an issue with their website, or they're not in NY yet. I searched for store locations within 75 miles of NYC and no results.

The new line is a good sign though.

hammettjr · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2011, 10:40:22 PM »

Quote from: rohfan on October 27, 2011, 11:37:00 AM

That would be my post, I believe. The place is called "Sansone" and they're located at 2133 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park, LI, New York. 516-746-3695. Very reasonable prices. I bought the Grande 50/50 5# grated bag and I think it was in the high 20-low 30 dollar range if I remember correctly.

Yep, that was your post. I dug it out of my bookmarks:

http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,10768.0.html

I'd like to make a trip, though I'm not really free Monday-Sat and they're closed on Sundays.

jgestner · « **Reply #17 on:** August 22, 2019, 02:14:12 PM »

Hi chickP
I order my Grande through a local Cheese store, but they get it from Vern's Cheese. They have an online presence and may deliver to your location. try them at https://www.vernscheese.com/shop-online/shredded-east-coast-cheese-blend/

They have all of the Grande cheeses and Mozzarella blends.

Good Luck
John

megan45 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2019, 03:54:40 PM »

Quote from: jgestner on August 22, 2019, 02:14:12 PM

Hi chickP
I order my Grande through a local Cheese store, but they get it from Vern's Cheese. They have an online presence and may deliver to your location. try them at https://www.vernscheese.com/shop-online/shredded-east-coast-cheese-blend/

They have all of the Grande cheeses and Mozzarella blends.

Good Luck
John

Talk about your necro-bump!

Chickenparm last logged in in Nov 2014 (and the post immediately above yours dates from 2011) ... shortly before he died, hence the "In Memorian" tag under his name.

Just sayin'. (But if chickenparm replies, I am outta here!)

Fiorot · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2019, 04:00:18 PM »

Well if he is listening there are many Gordon Food Service Stores in Indiana. https://gfsstore.com/locations/