Nashville Flea Market patrons can sample the many flavors of Farm Country Cheese before making their selections.

A Middle Tennessee vendor is making sure the area has access to all-natural, hormone-free cheeses.

Farm Country Cheese House is located in McMinnville, and store operator Cheryl Myers also supplies those at the Nashville Flea Market with the variety of natural cheeses each month, as well as at other area shows and events.

Although the cheese is produced in Michigan, it has become an important part of many Tennesseans’ diets, and many consumers with concerns about mysterious hormones, chemicals, antibiotics and genetically modified ingredients appreciate the company’s dedication to a clean product.

“From the beginning, the Amish communities in and around Lakeview, Michigan, have supplied all of the milk and most of the labor to process the wide variety of cheeses we sell,” according to the Farm Country website. “Our Amish farmers’ average herd size is up to 20 cows. The cows are naturally raised, grass fed and antibiotic free, with absolutely no artificial hormones introduced in their diet. The farmers milk the cows twice daily, by hand, for delivery to the Cheese House.”

The Farm Country label offers dozens of different varieties, nearly all of them based on either a cheddar or a jack cheese.

Some of the jack-based varieties include olive, bacon, truffle, horseradish, vegetable, hot pepper, dill and more. The ingredients added to the jack cheese give each variety a distinct taste, and offer an abundance of recipe opportunities. Try some horseradish in your mashed potatoes; slice olive or vegetable cheese for a uniquely-flavored cheese tray for snacking; top your soup with hot pepper.

“My little granddaughter loves the habañero,” Myers said.

This variety is even hotter than hot pepper-style jack, which packs some spicy punch in its own right.

“Some like to make pimento cheese out of hot pepper,” Myers added.

The Farm Country cheddars are offered in a variety of sharpness levels: regular, medium, sharp and extra sharp.

Colby is an unaged yellow cheddar, while the marble is a delicious swirled blend of the white jack cheese, and yellow colby, suitable for seemingly any job requiring cheese.

Meyers offers her customers the chance to sample quite a few of the varieties before making their selections.

Customers find the flavors, and combinations, that they like for customizing grilled cheese sandwiches, soups, grits or tacos to their taste. But many young and old enjoy a simple sliced square of all-natural cheese just to eat by itself.

Farm Country cheese is available in 8-oz. bars or 5-pound deli blocks.

Check them out each month at the Nashville Flea Market in the Exhibitors Building, or visit the Farm Country Cheese House at 1100 Smithville Hwy, McMinnville, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, find Farm Country Cheese House on Facebook or call (931) 474-2440.