This weekend the Moscow Food Co-op will host its second annual Cheese Fest. Samples of more than a dozen cheeses paired with fruit, chutneys, crackers and wine will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Moscow Food Co-op.

Cheese Fest is a relatively new event on the Palouse, and this is only the second year the Co-op has hosted the event. Last year, about 1,000 people attended, said Kenna Eaton, general manager of the Moscow Food Co-op. The event is free to the public and will be held in the store’s deli section.

About 15 cheese producers will be there with their cheeses.

The event is focused on artisan cheeses from the Northwest, said Brent Steward, cheese buyer for the Moscow Food Co-op. Steward described artisan cheeses as more creative and based on the European tradition.

“These cheeses are not your average cheddar,” he said. “Sometimes they are aged, smoked or wrapped in grape leaves. You won’t see them in your average grocery store.” The WSU Creamery is one of the seven Washington creameries taking cheese to the event. The creamery will be offering its Cougar Gold, Crimson Fire, Dill Garlic and Smoky Cheddar cheeses for sampling, said Aaron Jeschke, a representative for the WSU Creamery.

The event is focused on informing people about cheese flavors.

“We want to educate people on the differences of cheese made from goats, sheep and cows,” Eaton said. “We also want to bring the producers in, so people can talk to them about how they raise their animals, how their cheese is made and so on. We want to make the connection between product and producer.” The event is also an opportunity for people to try cheese from small companies that usually sell at local farmers markets, Steward said.

“We want to be able to put a face to a name for the consumers,” he said.

For the vendors, the event is about showing community members the local products.

Going into local events gives companies publicity and consumer awareness of the cheeses available and where they can purchase them, Jeschke said.

The Co-op will be selling the vendors’ cheeses in-store and customers get a 10 to 15 percent discount if they use a ticket available in the Cheese Fest pamphlet, Eaton said.

The Moscow Food Co-op is located at 121 East Fifth St. in downtown Moscow.