Gourmet News

American Cheese Society Debuts Redesigned Website

Published May 29, 2024

The American Cheese Society has launched a redesigned website, aimed at providing an enhanced user experience for members, industry professionals and cheese enthusiasts. The website, located at www.cheesesociety.org, features a fresh look and user-friendly navigation, and addresses the evolving needs of our diverse audience, aligning with our mission to inform, educate, and engage.

The primary objective of the redesigned website is to offer easy access to ACS programming and resources. “Our new site is designed to be a comprehensive resource for the cheese community, positioning ACS as a thought leader through enriched content and a more intuitive user experience,” said ACS Marketing Manager Endsley Eggert. “We listened to our users and are delivering a platform that meets their needs more effectively.”

Highlights of the New Website Include:

Intuitive Navigation: Users will find it easier to locate information with a streamlined navigation structure.
Optimized Design: The clean and focused design reflects ACS’s brand and commitment to quality.
SEO Best Practices: The website is optimized to ensure high visibility in search engine results.
Interactive Features: Functionalities include an email sign-up form, a robust search function, searchable directories, and an events calendar with submission capabilities.
Mobile Optimization: The site is fully optimized for mobile devices, ensuring accessibility on the go.

The redesigned site also aims to convert new website traffic into members.

“We recognize the importance of engaging potential members by providing valuable content and a seamless user experience,” Eggert said. “Our goal is to grow our community while continuing to serve our current members with the resources they need.”

The new site consolidates and streamlines the extensive information from the previous website, making it more navigable and user-friendly. Additionally, the integration with MemberClicks ensures our Member Center and Learning Center are easily accessible, providing a cohesive experience for all users.

Explore the new ACS website at www.cheesesociety.org and experience the improved functionality and design. For more information, contact us at info@cheesesociety.org.

ACS is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. At 2,300 members, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development, and networking opportunities for cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts, and extended industry. ACS strives to continually raise the quality and availability of cheese in the Americas. Since its founding in 1983, ACS proudly hosts the foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition in North America. ACS is a 501(c)6 nonprofit association headquartered in Denver, Colo. To learn more about ACS, please visit www.cheesesociety.org or contact 720-328-2788.

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Crisp Power Healthy Pretzel Snack Launches in Select Costco Stores

Published May 29, 2024

Crisp Power, the latest launch from the snack innovators behind Dream Pretzel, is rolling out its healthy high-protein, low-carb pretzels in select Costco locations. Beginning June 1, the patent-pending pretzels will hit shelves to make snack time easier for Costco members starting with San Diego, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Denver and Utah with more to come. With this debut, now is the time to say goodbye to empty calorie snacks and deceptively sugary protein bars.

With a large punch of protein in just one serving, Crisp Power makes snack time count. Crisp Power brings consumers a plant-based snack consisting of grains and legumes, with 15 grams of protein, 6 grams of dietary fiber, 3 grams of net carbohydrates and all nine necessary amino acids (BCAA) in one serving. These first-of-its-kind pretzels bring a more convenient and an even tastier option for protein consumption. While maintaining its status of being keto-friendly, diabetic-friendly, sugar-free and plant-based, the protein itself is a good source of protein certified by the FDA and is great for anyone looking to boost their daily protein consumption.

Crisp Power represents a new arena in the high-protein market where smart choices and incredible flavors come together to fuel the day, from the time folks start their workout, workday or weekend. With these new snacks, fitness lovers, busy moms, teens, tweens and every snacker in between gets a more convenient and tastier option for protein consumption. With no sugar at all, very few carbohydrates and no artificial flavors or fragrances, Crisp Power brings a high-quality protein that also contains all the necessary BCAAs for anyone looking to enrich their protein intake conveniently.

“After years of exploring and developing the perfect snack recipe that powers up the protein and dials down the carbs, we are overjoyed to finally introduce our delicious Crisp Power snack bags to Costco customers. Crisp Power’s patent-pending pretzels are irresistibly crunchy, deliciously versatile and full of both protein and fiber so our customers feel better with every bite,” said Gilad Zilberberg, founder, and CEO of Crisp Power.

Crisp Power is revolutionizing how simple it is to eat between meals with its Sea Salt, Sesame and Everything options. Every bite satisfies the craving for a savory treat yet empowers snackers to get what they need in a new way – beyond protein bars and power bites. Anyone can enjoy the power of the pretzel as a quick nosh straight out of the bag or paired with hummus, healthy dips and cheeses.

For those looking to grab a quick bite on the go, fuel up for a workout, or share with friends and family, Crisp Power is designed to fit seamlessly into everyday occasions. In the snack aisles often dominated by empty calorie options, Crisp Power aims to stand out as a beacon of health and flavor. Crisp Power is proud to introduce a product that challenges the norms of the snack aisle and offers a nutritious alternative. By entering the grocery shelves, the new protein pretzels will transform how people perceive snacks, showing that indulgence and health can coexist. Whether nestled among traditional snacks or highlighted in a health-focused section, Crisp Power is set to revolutionize snack time, offering a guilt-free, protein-rich choice for those in search of something better.

Costco shoppers can exclusively find Crisp Power’s unique value bags for this best-in-class better-for-you low-carb snack, for a total of 195 grams of protein per purchase; only 5 cents per gram!

Crisp Power is available at Costco in the San Diego Region while supplies last including stores in California, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah with plans to roll out nationwide.

For more information, visit crisppower.com.

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Chosen Foods Obtains B Corporation Certification

Published May 29, 2024

Chosen Foods, America’s #1 Avocado Oil and one of few on shelves that is guaranteed to be 100% pure, is certified as a B Corporation (B Corp). This accomplishment reinforces the brand’s commitment to a range of sustainable practices encompassing environmental performance, business standards, governance, community involvement and customer engagement.

To achieve B Corp Certification, companies must undergo a rigorous assessment process and meet a B Impact Assessment score of at least 80. Chosen Foods exceeded the requirements, demonstrating its years-long commitment to and presence of accountability and transparency through its mission-driven business.

“We’re honored to receive this certification as a proof point of our commitment to positively impacting people and our planet,” said Douglas MacFarlane, CEO. “From day one, we’ve been dedicated to building a responsible business through our better-for-you kitchen staples that replace bad fats with good fats from 100 percent pure avocado oil. Becoming B Corp Certified is an exciting milestone in recognition of these efforts and we’re proud to join the growing movement of companies working to create the positive change we need to see in the world.”

Chosen Foods considers the effects of its business and operational decisions on all its stakeholders (not just shareholders) to make a positive, material impact on society and the environment. As part of its business model for good and governing documents, the company has taken several key steps that led to it achieving B Corp Certification. These include:

Using primarily bruised or damaged avocados that would otherwise end up in waste streams to make its 100% pure avocado oil.
Thoroughly monitoring potential environmental impacts through regular visits to suppliers’ operations to ensure waste reduction practices and growing practices are aligned with Chosen Foods’ expectations and standards.
Transforming any leftover matter from the oil extraction process into natural gas, animal feed, or fertilizer for farming purposes.
Adhering to environmentally friendly purchasing procedures by routinely conducting packaging footprint assessments to review the environmental impact of packaging from conception through the sale of the product.
Purchasing carbon offsets for all of Chosen Foods’ scope 1 and 2 emissions and a percentage of its scope 3 emissions.
Facilitating a process of tracking all greenhouse emissions to ensure a cleaner business model and a safer planet.

Chosen Foods is dedicated to offering consumers better-for-you kitchen staples with its 100% pure avocado oil, ensuring the quality and purity of its products. By achieving B Corp status, Chosen Foods is committed to contributing to sustainable and economic system change while delivering products that are better for people and the planet.

Chosen Foods, America’s #1 Avocado Oil and Avocado Oil Spray, is always 100% pure, made with good fats from avocados, has a neutral taste, and is great for high-heat cooking (up to 500°F). Chosen Foods Avocado Oil is a versatile cooking staple and kitchen must-have that is great for general cooking, grilling, baking and more. The brand also makes additional pantry staples made with 100% pure avocado oil including: mayo, salad dressings, dip & drizzle sauces, and chocolate hazelnut spread. Learn more at www.chosenfoods.com/.

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