Kasbo’s Market, a Dairy Runway alumni startup founded by Benita Kasbo, has recently hit major milestones in its mission to introduce Syrian cheese to new markets.
This summer, the company received a $66,912 dairy co-packing grant from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. A co-packing model made possible by the funding will help Kasbo scale the production of her cheese product and launch in the specialty retail space.
Thanks to the grant, Kasbo’s cheese will appear on the shelves of retail stores across New York City in 2026. The cheese also recently became a featured menu item at NYC’s Café Zaffri.
All of these recent achievements earned Kasbo a spot on Culture magazine’s 2025 Hot List.
“When I introduced my cheese, many assumed it was for Middle Eastern consumers only, but my goal has always been to reach a broader audience,” Kasbo told the magazine. “With persistence, storytelling, and support from the community, I’ve gained recognition and brought my cheese into specialty stores and onto menus.”