May Brings American Cheese Month Celebration

American Cheese Month kicks off May 1. The annual event is a grassroots celebration of North America’s artisan and specialty cheeses and their makers and is organized by the American Cheese Education Foundation, the fundraising partner of the American Cheese Society.

Throughout the month of May, cheesemakers, dairy farmers, retailers, cheesemongers, and chefs highlight the diverse and delicious array of American cheeses and the community who bring them to the table.

In addition to spotlighting America’s robust cheese culture, the American Cheese Education Foundation, the American Cheese Society, and its members aim to:

• Recognize and raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses
• Support and promote great cheese, local foods, family farms, traditional methods, and sustainable production models
• Generate funding for education, scholarships, and research initiatives through the American Cheese Society

A large proportion of the funds raised during American Cheese Month goes to scholarships supporting ACS members to attend the annual industry conference. There, attendees including the scholarship recipients are able to enrich their professional experiences and cultivate industry connections in a sector still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

“All the scholarship recipients really appreciated the funding support, especially those impacted economically by the pandemic over the past two years,” noted Tara Holmes, executive director of the ACS.

Cheese lovers and cheese industry professionals alike can help spread the love of American cheese
throughout the month in a variety of ways.

ACS member cheesemakers, retailers, and specialty food distributors are encouraged to donate a portion of their sales to ACEF.

Individuals can also easily donate funds to help build the cheese community’s future by clicking the ‘donate’ button. Any amount is welcome.

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