In the 1950s, George Merkt and his wife set up a small cheese and sausage shop near Salem, Wisconsin. That storefront was the beginning of Merkts Cheese Company, giving birth to a cheesemaking tradition of 100% real Wisconsin cheddar that continues to this day. These days, Merkts cheese spreads are produced under the name of Bel Brands USA in Little Chute, Wisconsin, and as always, only made with 100% real Wisconsin cheddar.