According to a study by the Centre for Retail Research in the U.K., cheese has become one of the top targets for shoplifters. Singled-out in the summary of findings is Parmesan, which is quite believable considering even a small block of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano can run about $10. Gothamist notes, “Almost four percent of the world’s cheese supply ends up stolen, putting cheese ahead of other frequent grocery targets like candy and alcohol.”
Speaking of good cheese, a few months ago I stopped into a shop called Fromage in Old Saybrook, Conn. It’s crammed with goodies on a small strip along Boston Post Road. Christine Chesanek runs the place, which carries an impressive array of cheeses from nearby farms as well as from overseas. (I also picked up a cup’s worth of boquerones, which lit up the palate.) If you’re in the area, stop in. Just don’t steal anything.