Chicago, IL – Greg O’Neill, co-founder and co-owner of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, is the newly elected president of the American Cheese Society (ACS)— the leading organization that supports and promotes cheese in North America. Effective August 2012, O’Neill was inducted as the new ACS president during the 29th Annual American Cheese Society Conference & Competition—the foremost educational conference and cheese competition in North America—held in Raleigh, North Carolina, from August 1-4, 2012. He will serve a two-year term.
“Greg brings a powerful mix of business and industry perspective combined with leadership skills to his position as president of the American Cheese Society, and the organization is delighted to welcome him to this new role,” said Nora Weiser, executive director of the American Cheese Society. “ACS is committed to raising awareness of the quality and craftsmanship of American cheeses, and bringing further attention to cheesemakers who are focused on traditional, sustainable production methods. Greg and his entire team at Pastoral share this commitment, and we look forward to working together to grow ACS and offer continued support to the cheesemaking industry in North America.”
O’Neill has already served on the ACS Board of Directors for the past four years, the last two years as vice president, and succeeds Christine Hyatt as ACS president. In his new role as president, O’Neill will be responsible for leading the ACS Board of Directors and its professional staff based in Denver, Colorado.
“I’m honored to serve as the newly elected president of the American Cheese Society, and to have the chance to work together with this talented team of industry leaders who has united to sustain and grow the artisanal cheese industry in North America,” said Greg O’Neill, co-founder of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine. “Since opening Pastoral in 2004, we’ve seen an ever-growing appreciation and demand for high quality American cheeses. The support and network of the American Cheese Society is invaluable to our business as cheese purveyors—along with cheesemakers, educators and enthusiasts alike—and it’s an exciting time to help further advance the organization’s impact on cheesemaking in this country.”
In addition to his role as ACS president and co-founder of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, O’Neill serves on the Editorial Advisory Council for Culture magazine and was recently inducted into La Guilde Internationale des Fromagers, an honorary cheese industry organization originating in France which includes more than 5,500 seasoned cheese professionals. O’Neill is an elected member of the National Retailer Task Force for the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) and is also an active member of the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce along with a number of other community and trade organizations. O’Neill holds undergraduate degrees from Rutgers University and an MBA from Duke University.
Pastoral is a 2012 and 2007 winner of the Outstanding Specialty Food Retailer of the Year Award from the NASFT. The company will open Bar Pastoral, a neighborhood bistro at 2947 North Broadway located adjacent and connected to Pastoral’s East Lakeview location at 2945 North Broadway, later this fall 2012.
For more information on Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and nationwide shipping, visit the company’s NEW web site at http://www.pastoralartisan.com.
# # #
PASTORAL LOCATIONS AND HOURS
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine – Chicago French Market
131 North Clinton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661
312-454-2200
Hours:
Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine – Loop
53 East Lake Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312-658-1250
Hours:
Monday – Friday 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.*
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*Summer hours
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine – Lakeview
2945 North Broadway
Chicago, Illinois 60657
773-472-4781
Hours:
Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Shop 24/7, 365 days per year at Pastoral’s online store: pastoralartisan.com
ABOUT PASTORAL ARTISAN CHEESE, BREAD & WINE
Pastoral, a venture of Pastoral Enterprises, LLC, is a European-inspired, authentic neighborhood cheese shop, offering the highest quality fine and artisan cheeses from the U.S. and around the world, select small production wines, craft beers and spirits, plus freshly baked breads and a full complement of related items such as charcuterie, olives, confections, chocolates, tapenades, honeys, jams and other accompaniments. Pastoral also offers custom gift collections, gourmet sandwiches and salads, picnics and catering, plus ongoing classes and events at all store locations. The company was founded in 2004 in the East Lakeview area of Chicago and was named in 2012 and 2007 as one of six Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT). For more information or to shop online, visit pastoralartisan.com
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 North America. At more than 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 North America. ACS is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization. For more information, visit cheesesociety.org
Source: Pastoral Enterprises, LLC