Europe Approves Relief Package For Parmesan

Russia's yearlong ban on imports of most food products from the U.S. and the European Union has the potential to hit producers hard, but some companies can breathe a bit easier now that the E.U. has approved an aid package to help dairy producers through the next few months.

According to The Local, Europe exported €1 billion worth of cheese and €2.3 worth of dairy products to Russia last year. But producers will not have to worry about surplus products going to waste because the European Commission has approved a financial aid package to cover the costs of storing the dairy overstock for three to seven months. At least for now, the first round of funding will go to protect butter, skimmed milk powder, and cheeses with protected regional designations, which means Italy's Parmigiano-Reggiano is safe.

"This is the response we have been waiting for," said Giuseppe Alai, president of the Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium.

To help out with Parm aid of your own, check out some of our best Parmesan recipes.