Polly-O facts for kids
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| Type | Cheese products |
|---|---|
| Owner | BelGioioso Cheese |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1899 |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Previous owners | Giuseppe Pollio Kraft Foods Inc. Kraft Heinz |
Polly-O is a well-known American brand that makes delicious cheese products. It is currently owned by BelGioioso Cheese Inc.. The company that first made Polly-O cheese started way back in 1899. It was an independent company for many years. Later, in 1986, a big company called Kraft Foods Inc. bought it. Kraft owned Polly-O until 2020. After some changes in ownership, Polly-O became part of BelGioioso Cheese in 2021.
The Story of Polly-O Cheese
Polly-O was started by a man named Giuseppe Pollio. He began his cheese business in Brooklyn, New York, in 1899. Giuseppe Pollio brought his family's special Italian traditions for making cheese with him to America.
When he first arrived in America, about 100 years ago, he came through Ellis Island. He then went to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. There, he set up his kettles right on the beach to make ricotta and mozzarella cheeses!
Why the Name Changed
The original company name was "Pollio." But in the 1940s, the company changed its name to Polly-O. This was done because the original name sounded too much like "polio," which was a serious health issue at the time.
Where Polly-O Cheese is Made
Polly-O cheese is sold in many grocery stores across the United States. It is especially famous for its ricotta, mozzarella, and string cheese. Most Polly-O cheese is made in Campbell, New York.
Polly-O is one of the biggest makers of Italian cheeses. The company produces a huge amount of cheese every year. They make almost one hundred million pounds of cheese! The Huffington Post even called the company's string cheese "a work of art."
