Regional products from the Park

Cheese…

Upland farming is commonplace in the Park and the landscape is dotted with farms. Most are dairy farms where cows graze on the surrounding grasslands. Four alp cheeses with protected designation of origin (AOP) status – L’Etivaz AOP, Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP, Gruyère AOP and Berner Alpkäse AOP – are made in over 200 upland farms inside the Park. Outside the summer season, the milk from these farms, which is very important to the region's agricultural sector, is delivered to village dairies, which turn it into cheese and other dairy products.

…and other regional specialities

In the past, very few farmers in the Park raised beef cattle. That has started to change in recent years. The Park is also home to several pig farms which typically use the whey left from the region's cheesemaking activities as fodder. Sheep farming too is on the rise, particularly on the Park's mountain farms.

Swiss Parks product label

Swiss parks of national importance may award this label to products that have been independently certified to meet the requisite criteria. To qualify, products must be produced and processed mainly in the given park. They must also be regional, sustainable, and meet regional label requirements.

For products from the Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Regional Nature Park, this label is a guarantee that the producer helps to enhance the Park's biodiversity and landscapes, and embraces sustainable business practices. Over 140 products, including cheeses, meat, honey, herbal teas and essential oils, made by 23 producers have been awarded the Swiss Parks label.