Mark Your Calendar
June 12 - Early Bird Conference Registration Deadline AND Judging & Competition On-Time Deadline
Attention: Authors!
We are collecting a list of books to sell at the ACS Conference Bookstore. And in addition to ACS bookstore favorites, we would like to extend the invitation to any and all published ACS members.
If you have a book and would like to be included, please reply or contact headquarters with the title by June 1.
ACS members may now attend webinars offered by NASFT at their special member rate.
Welcome to the May issue of the CheeseWire Monthly Newsletter!
In addition to conference updates, it seems that the theme of this issue should be ACS in the News! We have a lot of news below and ACS members have been recognized, nominated and overall congratulated quite a bit recently. Keep reading to check out some of these major achievements.
And remember: if you have information to add to the CheeseWire (member news, an event you want other members to know about or an upcoming article you are in, etc), let us know. Send your input to acs@hqtrs.com for inclusion. We are always happy to hear from you.
Thanks and happy reading!
Meet the Cheesemaker Sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board ACS is pleased to announce the return of the hugely popular Meet the Cheesemaker event at this year's 2009 Annual Conference in Austin. The event will take place in the evening the first full day of conference, Wednesday, August 5.
Cheesemakers: Visit the ACS Website where you can learn more about the event, sign up online or download a printable sign up form.Click here to continue.
All others: Prepare for an evening of fun, cheese and more cheese. At Meet the Cheesemaker, you can see the faces and meet the people behind your favorite cheeses. It's also your chance to sample America's finest cheeses from the foremost experts - the cheesemakers themselves!
Cheese in the Heart of Texas An Update from Kathleen Shannon-Finn, Program Coordinator
It's a wild Wednesday agenda at Cheese in the Heart of Texas and it's a not to miss day for Cheesemakers and Retailers!
Cheesemaker Day makes a revival return with a high impact program developed by Mary Keehn of Cypress Grove and Judy Schad of Capriole, leading cheesemakers of the artisan revolution of cheese in the United States. They have enlisted international and national experts to address popular topics for all cheesemakers. One of the primary focus topics will be presented from The Steritech Group, leaders in third party audits and quality assurance. They will present a timely approach to HAACP program development, designed just for cheesemakers.
New this year is a focus day for Retailer's! The program was designed to explore specific issues to the retail environment. The current economic challenges support the needs for sessions dedicated to retailers. When we envisioned this direction our thoughts went to Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman's, an internationally recognized leader in retail, he will share fundamental principles from Bottom-Line Training to the Art of Giving Great Service. The Steritech Group will also address a retail environment focused approach to HAACP program development.
We haven't forgotten our other members looking for a fun and educational day to meet and learn from local producers and retailers. 50 lucky attendees can sign up for a field trip to visit Amelia Sweethardt and her family at Pure Luck Dairy and retail tours from nationally known retailers based in Texas, Central Market and Whole Foods Market.
Looking forward to seeing you in Austin!
Kathleen Shannon Finn
Conference Program Chair
Important Information on State Tax Laws
Dear Valued ACS Members,
In this economy it is important to make the best of marketing opportunities to promote and sell your cheese, services and wares at festivals, events and farmers markets. Perhaps, a few of these sales opportunities will be located outside your states' borders. If this is the case, you may unknowingly expose yourself to a tax liability that may require you to pay taxes for all your sales into that particular state for a period of time. Such was the case for a few of our member cheese makers who attended a regional cheese festival and sold their cheese at a farmer's market event. These members felt ambushed by a state department of revenue officers and paid thousands of dollars in taxes, penalties and consultant fees for cheese they allegedly sold in that state for the last five years and will be paying for the next five years because of state Nexus rules.
Because of this situation, growth in farmer's market style regional events and an increase in state government appetite for revenue streams to offset deficits the ACS Board of Directors worked with a professional tax advisor to create guidelines for you should you decide to sell and market out of your state. Before you sign up to attend an out of state event to showcase and sell your cheese or services please read the following facts and guidelines. Click here for more information.
David Gremmels, President
American Cheese Society
Congratulations, Mary Keehn! The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) in San Francisco announced their winners of the 2009 Small Business Week awards and among the winners was longtime ACS member and supporter, Mary Keehn of Cypress Grove Chevre.
The SBA's criteria is not only for developing an outstanding business; a business must also help make a contribution to the community. Given Mary Keehn's commitment to her employees, her products and her surrounding community, she was a clear choice for this award.
The James Beard Foundation Awards were announced recently and we'd like to extend congratulations to two ACS members who were honored this year.
Tennessee's Blackberry Farm impressed ACS judges with their Aged Sheep's Milk cheese, Singing Brook, at last summer's Judging & Competition but it was their wine service that has gained recognition with James Beard. Their on-premise restaurant was nominated for an Outstanding Wine Service Award. Nominees of this award display and encourage excellence in wine service through a well-presented wine list, a knowledgeable staff, and efforts to educate customers about wine.
ACS members continued to make news at the Awards when author, conference regular & all-around cheese authority,Clark Wolf, was inducted into the Who's Who of Food & Beverage. The Foundation describes the Who's Who as, "a cadre of the most accomplished food and beverage professionals in the country... Every member of the Who's Who has contributed in some substantial way to America's constantly evolving culinary scene."
Congratulations to Clark on this major achievement! And be sure to join him this summer when he moderates the Cheese at Retail Panel in Austin.
For the full list or to learn more about the James Beard Foundation Awards, click here.
More Member & Industry News
The Dairy Farmers of Canada recently presented the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix, a competition that celebrates the high quality and proud tradition of Canadian cheese. The competition promotes achievements and innovation in cheese making and encourages cheesemakers to strive for excellence in their art. They recently held the 2009 Grand Prix and several ACS Canadian Cheesemakers were among the winners.Click here for the full list and to learn more.
Rising Sun Farms Announces New Products - Oregon-based Rising Sun Farms is proud to announce two new product lines: Salad Energizers™ and DipnSpreads®. The new products come in a variety flavors, such as: Currants, Pecans & Parmesan Cheese and Roasted Garlic Chive Cheese.
Dairy Business Innovation Centerto Present Fundamentals of Cheese Distribution Seminar - The Wisconsin Ag Connection recently reported that the Dairy Business Innovation Center (DBIC) will present Fundamentals of Cheese Distribution: How to Gain and Retain Distribution of Specialty & Artisan Cheese at two seminars in May. The events are open to all dairy companies and will be held on May 19 in Madison, and May 20 in River Falls. Cost is $75 to attend. For more information or to register, call 888-623-2269. You can also read the full article here.
Cowgirl CreameryExpands Sales Team - Peggy Smith and Sue Conley, Co-owners of Cowgirl Creamery and Tomales Bay Foods, are pleased to to announce three additions to their team: Debra Dickerson, Diana Solari and Kristin Sande. All parties involved are long-time ACS members and we congratulate them on this news!
