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Is the cracker on your plate looking a little dull? Does the ribeye steak appear a bit bland?

Cheese may provide the perfect element to liven up a snack or meal.

With hundreds of kinds to choose from, the county offers many options.

Local farms, including Shepherds Manor Creamery in New Windsor, produce cheese for sale. This year, the farm has four cheeses made from sheep’s milk, for sale: tomae, fetina (a feta-type), colbere and Shepherd’s ewe creme.

In the past, grocery stores usually stocked only a few popular cheeses. Today, it is common for supermarkets to carry more than 50 varieties. For example, the Safeway in Westminster sells Castello Danish blue cheese ($5.49), President log-shaped brie ($8.49) and Montchevre goat cheese ($7.99).

Local shops, such as the Westminster-based Giulianova Groceria, also sell cheese cut to order. A quarter pound of parmesan or romano is shown on page 64. The price per pound for each is $19.95 and $9.49 respectively.