Sacramento, Calif. — Tarentaise Reserve from Farms for City Kids Foundation in Vermont was named “Best of Show” among 1,685 entries at the American Cheese Society’s (ACS) 2014 Judging & Competition. The results were announced in a ceremony on Thursday, July 31, at the 31st Annual ACS Conference in Sacramento. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company from California was awarded 2nd place overall for their Point Reyes Bay Blue. In a tie for 3rd place overall are Oakdale Cheese & Specialties’ Aged Gouda from California and Sprout Creek Farm’s Eden from New York.
Jeremy Stephenson, Cheese Program Director of Farms for City Kids Foundation, said of the Best of Show win, "The more I’m involved in this work, the more it becomes clear to me that what we’re doing is so much a part of agriculture and working to develop a new sustainable food system. We’re a small part of that. When we do this work we have to remember we’re part of something much bigger than an individual or individual farm, we’re a part of a community. The people that buy our cheese are supporting something very important for the future."
The 2014 ACS Judging & Competition saw 1,685 entries of cheeses and cultured dairy products from 248 companies. Entering companies represented 39 U.S. states, 4 Canadian provinces, and Colombia. 325 ribbons were awarded: 89 first place ribbons, 109 second place ribbons, and 127 third place ribbons. Please see this media kit for a complete breakdown of awards by product, dairy location, and milk source, as well as for producers’ contact information.
For a printable list of this year’s winners and judges’ bios, visit www.cheesejudging.org.
The 32nd Annual ACS Conference & Competition will take place July 29 – Aug. 1, 2015, in Providence, RI.
About the American Cheese Society (ACS)
The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. Over 1,500 members strong, 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 North America’s foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition. For more information, visit www.cheesesociety.org.
Source: American Cheese Society (ACS)