How To Celebrate National Cheese Day

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This week I’m sharing ideas to help your residents celebrate two little known holidays in June. Today we’ll talk about National Cheese Day (June 4), and on Saturday we’ll take a look at National Smile Power Day (June 15).

What’s that you say? You already celebrated National Cheese Lover’s Day in January? Yes, there is some duplication on national holiday calendars. But, that’s okay. In my opinion, you can never experience too much cheese.

These are my ideas for National Cheese Day. I hope you’ll share your suggestions in the comment section!

Host a fondue party

I’m sure many of your residents remember when fondue parties were all the rage in the 1960s and 1970s. It’s fun to get little groups of residents together and cook up pots of cheese fondue. The Pinch of Yum website offers a recipe for a simple and delicious Swiss cheese fondue.

Ask your residents for suggestions as to foods they would like to use for dipping. We’ve used apple or pear slices, cubed ham, pretzels, fresh broccoli or cauliflower, bread cubes, and corn chips.

Your residents will enjoy topping off the meal with chocolate fondue for dessert. Genius Kitchen has an easy recipe that doesn’t even require a fondue pot. Foods you can dip in a dessert fondue include fruit slices, cubed angel food cake, marshmallows, and small cookies.

Sample a variety of cheeses

Prepare trays with several types of cheeses for your residents to sample. Invite them to vote for their favorites. Be sure to include cheeses with a variety of textures, scents, colors, flavors, and ingredients. Sparkling apple juice works well as a beverage during a cheese tasting.

While the residents are enjoying their cheese samples, you can share interesting cheese trivia. For example, did you know that the average American eats 29 pounds of cheese each year?

Plan a potluck

Include employees and volunteers in your National Cheese Day activities by planning a potluck meal. Ask everyone to bring a unique cheese-based dish to share. You’ll be amazed at what can be created with cheese. Or, if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by cheese, you can ask a few people to bring a cheese-based entree while everyone else brings a side dish.

Make your own cheese

If you’re feeling brave, you can create your own cheese. You’ll find lots of recipes online including this easy one from Epicurious. Or you can purchase a complete cheese-making kit online like this one from Standing Stone Farms.

Include cheese in a meal

Even if you don’t include cheese in a small group activity, you can still offer all of your residents the opportunity to participate in National Cheese Day. Simply ask the dietary department to include a cheese dish on the menu. Options include grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese pizza, macaroni & cheese, cheese ravioli, cheese soup, or cheesecake.

Learn about cheese

June is a beautiful time of year to take your residents on an outing. If you’re lucky enough to live near a cheese factory, that’s a terrific option. Otherwise, check with a local cheese shop or grocery store. Perhaps they’ll invite your residents in for a lesson on the various types of cheeses they sell. A trip to a dairy farm is also lots of fun.

If you’re unable to go on an outing, you can still invite a guest speaker to come in and talk about topics related to cheese. A chef is an excellent choice.

Another option is to show your residents one of the numerous YouTube videos showing how cheese is made or that shares stories about the origins of various cheeses. Believe it or not, the history of cheese is quite fascinating!

 

Remember to share your National Cheese Day ideas in the comment section. Then come back on Saturday for ideas on how to celebrate Smile Power Day!