Vermont wins 44 ribbons at American Cheese Society national competition

Shepsog from Grafton Village Cheese was among the first place winners. Courtesy photo.

While facing devastation on farms across Vermont, its cheese producers provide strong national presence

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) announced today that Vermont cheeses took home 44 individual ribbons at the American Cheese Society’s (ACS’s) National Judging and Competition event this year.  Winners were announced last week at the American Cheese Society’s annual conference, held in Des Moines, Iowa. Vermont claimed 9 first, 13 second and 22 third place positions.

Awards went to Barn First, Cabot Creamery Cooperative/Agri-Mark, The Cellars at Jasper Hill Farm, Grafton Village Cheese Co., Maplebrook Farm, Mt. Mansfield Creamery, Springbrook Farm Cheese, Vermont Creamery, and Vermont Shepherd.  

A full table of Vermont product winners is included at the end of this press release.

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. Since its founding in 1983, ACS has hosted North America’s most prominent cheese judging and competition. 

These awards come just one week after historic rains brought devastating flooding across Vermont, with some parts of the state receiving over nine inches of rain in a two-day period. While most cheesemakers within Vermont have avoided extensive damage to infrastructure and operations, the impact of the flooding may be felt for months to come.

Cheesemakers have dealt with temporary facility closures, lack of potable water, delays in both distribution and milk deliveries due to road and bridge closures throughout the state, and flood waters affecting hay fields and pasture. Flood waters can contaminate fields growing feed for cows, sheep, and goats and can also diminish or deplete the value of the feed so that it’s no longer optimal nutritionally or viable. The impact of this on dairy operations may be felt by having to buy in feed, increasing the cost of operations and decreasing business stability and resiliency moving forward. 

When at ACS’ conference last week and asked how people can help, Marty Mundy, VCC’s Executive Director had this to say, “The best way to support Vermont cheese producers is to buy Vermont cheese.  It’s immensely helpful for morale to know that the public and our community are there to support us.  For those in Vermont or coming to visit, The Hunt (VCC’s statewide virtual scavenger hunt that guides people to find and buy Vermont cheese) or the Vermont Cheesemakers Conference are great ways to connect in person with cheese producers and their dairy farmers.  Visit them at farmers markets – to support both cheese producers – and all the farmers in our state, many of whom are all struggling together. For anyone – consumers, distributors, retail or grocery buyers – maybe add a Vermont cheese you don’t normally get into your lineup of products you normally buy.”

The Vermont Cheesemakers Festival will take place on Sunday, August 13 at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro, Vermont. It celebrates the 40+ cheesemakers in Vermont and has opportunities for tastings and sales of cheese as well as beer, cider, wine, spirits and other Vermont-made products as well as food trucks and educational presentations. There is an industry-only portion to the day from 8:45am - 11:30am where retail, grocery, and industry buyers; food writers and media; and industry personnel have an opportunity to connect with cheese producers one-on-one before the event opens to the public from 11:30am - 4pm. Go to vtcheesefest.com for more information and tickets. 

For those looking for opportunities to donate and directly aid impacted farmers in Vermont, please visit nofavt.org/ways-to-help.

Vermont Cheese Ribbon Winners from the 2023 ACS Judging & Competition

Source: Waitsfield, VT (July 24, 2023) The Vermont Cheese Council