Denver, CO – October is the 2nd Annual American Cheese Month, and cheese retailers around the country are celebrating by participating in the American Cheese Month (ACM) Passport Program!
Launched in 2011, the Passport Program is designed to generate consumer enthusiasm for American artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses. Customers are invited to purchase a passport at any participating retailer for $10. The passport provides a discount ranging from 20-40% off a designated “cheese of the day” at each retailer from October 1-31, 2012. The passport is valid at all participating retailers; the specific cheeses and discounts offered each day will vary by store. 100% of the proceeds from passport sales will benefit the nonprofit American Cheese Education Foundation, which funds educational opportunities and scholarships for cheesemakers.
Twelve retailers in two states participated in the inaugural program in 2011. In 2012, the program has more than doubled to include 30 retailers in 17 states. Passport-holders can find a full list of participating retailers on the American Cheese Month website, and they can follow the American Cheese Society’s Twitter feed for updates on participating companies and their featured cheeses throughout the month of October.
“The American Cheese Month Passport Program offers a unique opportunity for consumers to try American cheeses at reduced prices while also supporting their local economy,” says Nora Weiser, Executive Director of the American Cheese Society. “Whether you’re a cheese connoisseur or you’re new to the world of artisan cheese, you’re bound to discover new favorites from some of America’s best producers this October.”
The list of participating businesses in 2012 currently includes:
· Artisan Cheese Company, Sarasota, FL
· Artisanal Fromagerie and Bistro, New York, NY
· Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, New York, NY and Seattle, WA
· The Better Cheddar, Prairie Village, KS
· Brooklyn Victory Garden, Brooklyn, NY
· Butcher Block Meats & Cheese, Oshkosh, WI
· The Calf & Kid, Seattle, WA
· Casellula Cheese & Wine Café, New York, NY*
· Caseus Fromagerie Bistro, New Haven, CT
· The Cheese Cave, Red Bank, NJ
· The Cheese Shop, Aspen, CO
· Cheese Louise, Richland, WA
· Eastern District, Brooklyn, NY
· Eat More Cheese, Belfast, ME
· Fairfield Cheese Company, Fairfield, CT
· Fromagination, Madison, WI
· Lucy’s Whey (Chelsea Market and East Hampton), New York, NY
· Marion Street Cheese Market, Oak Park, IL
· Mission Cheese, San Francisco, CA
· Murray’s Cheese (Grand Central & Greenwich Village), New York, NY
· My Cheese Shoppe, Puyallup, WA
· Orrman’s Cheese Shop, Charlotte, NC
· Saxelby Cheesemongers, New York, NY
· Scardello, Dallas, TX
· Smoke House Market, Chesterfield, MO
· Standard Market, Westmont, IL
· StinkyBklyn, Brooklyn, NY
· Wedge & Bottle, Phoenix, AZ
· Wedge – A Cheese Shop, Reno, NV
· Zingerman’s Creamery, Ann Arbor, MI
Retailers interested in the Passport Program can still sign up online. There is no cost to participate; ACS provides participants with ready-to-print passports, signage, and marketing tools and resources.
For more information about the American Cheese Month Passport Program, visit www.americancheesemonth.org.
About American Cheese Month
Founded in 2011 by the American Cheese Society, American Cheese Month is an annual celebration of America’s artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses, and the farmers, cheesemakers, distributors, retailers, chefs, and educators who bring them to the table. The goal of the October celebration is to raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses. Special events, tastings, and educational programs celebrating American cheese are taking place around the country this October, and revenue from select events will support the nonprofit American Cheese Education Foundation. Find a full calendar of events at http://www.americancheesemonth.org.
About the American Cheese Society
The American Cheese Society is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of farmstead, artisan, and specialty cheeses produced in North America. Over 1,500 members strong, the American Cheese Society provides advocacy, education, business development, and networking opportunities for cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts, and extended industry.The American Cheese Society strives to continually raise the quality and availability of cheese in North America.
Source: American Cheese Society