MISSION
ESTRELACOOP – COOPERATIVA DE PRODUTORES
SERRA DA ESTRELA CHEESE, CRL
ESTRELACOOP – COOPERATIVA DE PRODUTORES DE QUEIJO SERRA DA ESTRELA, CRL is the grouping that manages the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) of the products, Serra da Estrela Cheese, Serra da Estrela Old Cheese, Serra da Estrela Curd Cheese and Serra da Estrela Lamb.
First recognized and protected by Regulation (EC) no. 1107/96, of 12 June, and reconfirmed by Order no. 8487/2002, of 26 April. It was established in 1991, with around 20 associates, and recognized as the managing group of the brand in 1994, by Order no. 6/94, of 26 January.
The Cooperative has its headquarters in Celorico da Beira.
This entity currently develops its activity focusing on the monitoring of the certification process, which is carried out by a Control and Certification Body, in the technical support that it has been developing with its associates, namely in terms of validating the structural conditions of the producers of Queijo Serra da Estrela, in order to “receive” the certification authorization, a “link” between the associates and the certifying entity and in the implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point).
The objectives and mission of ESTRELACOOP are set out in its corporate purpose and statutes, which aim “the production and/or commercialization of Serra da Estrela Cheese, its derivatives, as well as all products of sheep origin and commercialize products and equipment related to agriculture and livestock.
More specifically, as already mentioned, the Cooperative has focused its activity, almost exclusively, on technical assistance to associates and on the defence of the Protected Designation of Origin – Serra da Estrela.
PARTNERS
(…) Serra da Estrela Cheese. The paste, so thin, is like no other from the same category in Europe.
António Maria de Oliveira Bello (Olleboma)
Founder of the Portuguese Society of Gastronomy, president of Portuguese Society of Natural Sciences, an epicure by nature, he established himself as one of the greatest portuguese gastronomists. A great booster of national cuisine.