Abstract: A system is disclosed for reducing costs associated with making a plurality of food products incompatible in a single food product-making facility by a plurality of food product makers. A plurality of discrete food product-making plants are provided configured for use by the plurality of food product makers. A common area facility includes facilities sharable by the plurality of food product makers using and occupying the plurality of food product making plants. The plurality of food product making plants and common area facility are operated cooperatively by sharing use and costs associated with use of the common area facility by and among the plurality of food product makers.

Abstract: A cheese which is natural, resists melting, includes a pH of between about 5.9 and about 6.35, is made in the absence of and includes no cheese culture, is packaged in block form and is sliceable with a knife without crumbling, and includes a nonlactose sweetener having a perceived sweetness at least 30% that of sucrose.

Abstract: A dried crisp cheese piece is disclosed in a first preferred form including a nonmelting cheese dried to its final moisture content by microwave energy. The nonmelting cheese generally includes a pH of greater than about 5.7. The final moisture content of the dried cheese piece is preferably between 2 and 8% by weight. The final dried cheese piece is unpuffed and requires no refrigeration. A process for making the dried cheese piece is also disclosed. The process essentially includes subjecting the nonmelting cheese having particular thickness dimensions to microwave energy to reduce the cheese piece from an initial moisture content to a final moisture content ranging from about 2% to 8%. The drying step can be practiced using forming pans to obtain finished products having various three dimensional shapes and configurations.

Abstract: A cheese which is natural, resists melting, includes a pH of between about 5.9 and about 6.35, is made in the absence of and includes no cheese culture, is packaged in block form and is sliceable with a knife without crumbling, and includes a nonlactose sweetener having a perceived sweetness at least 30% that of sucrose. Methods for making the sweetened cheese preferably in the absence of cheese culture are also disclosed.