MISSOURI, USA — A controversial cheese may have found its next biggest fan in a Missouri state representative.
Rep. Adam Schwadron, a Republican who represents parts of St. Charles County, filed a bill on Wednesday proposing to adopt provel cheese as the state cheese of Missouri.
"Provel cheese, a combination of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheese that is prominent in St. Louis cuisine, is selected for and shall be known as the official cheese for the state of Missouri," HB-2198 reads.
The move may be an attempt to get cheese-lover votes for Schwadron, who announced his candidacy for Missouri Secretary of State last October. But, it may drive votes away from those who adamantly despise Provel. Voters will have to wait until November to see whether the gamble pays off.
The cheese has previously received national acclaim while being called "lowbrow" back at home. While it may have been popularized in St. Louis, it wouldn't have existed without the help of a Chicago business.
Its history dates back to 1947 when a local grocer worked with a Chicago-based meat and cheese packing company to develop the cheese. The company, J.S. Hoffman Co., filed a patent application in 1947 and was ultimately registered to the company in 1950.
Costa's Grocery would go on to become Roma Grocery Co., the distributor of Provel. The company was owned by Abe "Toots" Pezzani, uncle of the owner of Imo's, until his death in 2009.
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