The attraction of maintaining the Gippsland connection was a major consideration of the new owners of Neerim South cheese manufacturer Tarago River Cheese.
Moondarra Cheese, that is headquartered at Dandenong South, took over the Tarago River Cheese about a month ago.
Moondarra director Nick Katis said they were currently leasing and operating the factory at Neerim South that was still sourcing its milk from the adjoining farm owned by a former principal of Tarago River David Johnson.
The Johnson and Jensen families established Tarago River more than 40 years ago and Mr Katis said it was a good fit for the objectives of Moondarra, a company founded in 1999 and specialises in producing and marketing speciality cheeses for local and export markets.
The acquisition also included well known and highly regarded brands manufactured by Tarago including Gippsland Blue and Shadows of Blue that Mr Katis described as "great products".
Mr Katis said the purchase was a natural fit and natural progression for Moondarra and although it had a great affiliation with the owners of Tarago River was still in the very early stages of learning about its business.
It was great to be able to buy the company, keep its Gippsland connection, make sure its cheeses stay on shop selves and avoid the possibility of the company falling into foreign hands, he said.