Gourmet News

St. Malachi Named Best of Show at ACS Competition

Published July 24, 2023

St. Malachi, an alpine-style cheese in the Farmstead category from The Farm at Doe Run of Coatesville, Penn., was named first place Best of Show among 1,454 entries at the American Cheese Society’s 2023 Judging & Competition. The results of the competition were announced at the 40 Years of Cheese Conference in Des Moines. The Farm at Doe Run received a total of 10 awards at this year’s competition – four first place, four second place, one third place and first place Best of Show.

The last time the ACS Annual Conference was held in Des Moines was in 2016 and The Farm at Doe Run won first place in the Farmstead category – aged 60 days or more, cow’s milk and then took home second place Best of Show for its St. Malachi Reserved.

The second place Best of Show went to Cumberland, a Tomme-style cheese from Sequatchie Cove Creamery of Sequatchie, Tenn. Three cheeses tied for third place Best of Show: Pleasant Ridge Reserve, a washed rind cheese from Uplands Cheese of Dodgeville, Wis., Prairie Tomme, a sheep’s milk cheese from Green Dirt Farm of Weston, Mo., and Basket Molded Chevre, a goats’ milk cheese from Pure Luck Dairy of Dripping Springs, Texas.

The five Best of Show cheeses are among the 370 total awards given at the ceremony – 113 gold medals, 127 silver medals, and 130 bronze medals among 141 organizations. ACS’ Judging & Competition, the largest event of its kind for American-made cheeses, wrapped up two days of judging at the Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota in May. Cheeses in 131 different categories were submitted to be judged by an esteemed panel of 34 judges. Cheeses entered in the competition were received May 15-17, with judging from May 18-19. Growing from just 89 entries 38 years ago, the ACS J&C welcomed cheeses and cultured dairy products from 195 companies this year.

“J&C is a unique competition that focuses on providing expert constructive feedback with the goal of giving cheesemakers the guidance to produce better cheese and elevate cheese made in the Americas in the marketplace,” said American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Chair Rachel Perez. “The growth of this year’s competition truly reflects the vibrancy of the American cheese industry. As the industry’s highest honor, winning a medal at Judging & Competition or the coveted Best of Show is not only a sign of excellence but also increases winners’ visibility.”

The ACS competition shines the spotlight on American cheesemakers by showcasing their talents and work as leaders within the industry for their excellent cheesemaking. For the full list of the 2023 Judging & Competition winners and past winners, visit https://www.cheesesociety.org/competition-winners.

For more about the American Cheese Society’s annual convention, get Gourmet News’ Fall Cheese Guide. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it!

Lotus Foods Promotes Burke to CEO

Published July 18, 2023

Lotus Foods, the heirloom and organic rice company, has promoted Andrew Burke to CEO from president/COO. Co-founders Caryl Levine and Ken Lee will remain in their board seats and as visionaries focused on expanding the mission to change the way rice is grown globally. The transition, effective July 2023, is an exciting strategic step in the nearly 30-year history of Lotus Foods as the company positions itself for continued innovation, growth and impact.

Burke, who was the first c-level hire in the history of Lotus Foods when he joined in October 2019, has had direct oversight of all aspects of the company’s operations, supply chain management, finance, marketing and sales functions. Prior to Lotus Foods, Burke gained decades of leadership and relevant industry experience having been CEO of TCHO Chocolate, where he led a new corporate strategy with the goal of efficiently scaling the business. He also held prior senior roles at E&J Gallo Winery, Diamond Foods and Nature Box.

“I’ve had a wonderful four years working with Caryl and Ken and have been humbled to do this important work alongside them,” said Burke. “The entire team at Lotus Foods is united around our mission and committed to growing and innovating. I couldn’t be more honored and excited to continue to scale the impact of Lotus Foods with this group of talented people.”

Levine and Lee will continue their mission-related work and expanding the number of rice growers using System of Rice Intensification regenerative farming techniques. Lee will focus on working with existing and new supply chain partners and supporting advocacy and government relations, while Levine will lend her vision to new product development and innovation as well as nurturing relationships with important partners such as Jubilee Justice, which supports Black farming communities using sustainable methods.

“This has been a transition four years in the making,” explained Levine and Lee. “During Andrew’s tenure, he has successfully steered the company through the turbulent pandemic and post-pandemic years, increasing revenue and recruiting new creative talent. We can’t think of a better person to take on the CEO role as we shift our focus to expanding regenerative organic agriculture globally and fighting the urgent issue of climate change.”

More information about Lotus Foods’ efforts to change the way rice is grown globally can be found in the company’s latest impact report on lotusfoods.com.

Since 1995, Lotus Foods has partnered in direct and fair trade with small family farmers around the world who are growing rice more sustainably while preserving rice biodiversity. Lotus Foods’ product line includes pigmented heirloom and organic rice varieties such as Forbidden Rice, Jade Pearl Rice, Red Rice, traditional Basmati and Jasmine Rice and Tri-color Rice as well as Rice Ramen, Pad Thai Rice Noodles and Rice Ramen Noodle Soup Cups. Products are available at major retailers nationwide.

As a certified B Corporation, Lotus Foods is committed to “Changing How Rice Is Grown around the World” by focusing on rice grown using the System of Rice Intensification, which it calls More Crop Per Drop. SRI minimizes water usage, empowers women, financially rewards farmers and reduces climate impact. As a business co-founded and co-owned by an Asian American, and with a global supply network encompassing family farmers throughout Asia, Lotus Foods stands with the AAPI community and condemns racial violence.

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U.S. C-Stores Celebrate First Responders on 24/7 Day

Published July 13, 2023

On Monday, July 24, also known as 24/7 Day, the U.S. convenience store industry will once again celebrate the local heroes within its communities. 24/7 Day recognizes and gives back to first responders, medical personnel, 9-1-1 professionals and Red Cross volunteers who work around the clock to ensure people don’t face emergencies alone.

Hosted by the NACS Foundation, this year’s event gives a “High 5 for Heroes” in the form of an offer (such as a free coffee or free breakfast sandwich) to thank first responders with a token of gratitude from one of their largest supporters — the convenience store industry. The event will also raise awareness and donations for the American Red Cross.

“Just like first responders, convenience stores and their workers provide essential services, while also acting as a reliable and safe hub for members of their community to connect, socialize and share,” said Stephanie Sikorski, executive director of the NACS Foundation. “So much of the work that both first responders and convenience store workers do is not seen by the public. This celebration was created to shine a bright light on their service, showing them that we see how much they do and saluting them for their incredible efforts.”

This is an event all first responders can take part in as 93 percent of Americans live within just 10 minutes of a convenience store, including 86 percent of rural Americans. This year, Anheuser-Busch, with the support of its brands Budweiser and Bud Light, is also joining as a key supplier partner. From July 1 through Aug. 31, Anheuser-Busch will donate for every Budweiser and Bud Light case sold to Folds of Honor. A partner of Anheuser-Busch for 13 years, Folds of Honor recently extended its scholarship program to include the families of America’s first responders including police, fire, EMTs and paramedics.

Convenience stores are an integral part of everyday life across the United States. There are more than 150,000-plus convenience stores and they conduct 160 million transactions a day across every community in the country.

This year, more than 30,000 convenience stores are participating in the 24/7 Day celebration including: 1 Stop, 7-Eleven (limited areas) and DK, Admiral, Allsup’s, Apple Market, Au Energy, LLC – Loop Neighborhood Stores, Bread & Butter Shop, BreadBox, Casey’s, Certified Oil, CFCA, Corner Mart, Cumberland Farms, Dixie Mart, Enmarket, Express Stop, ExtraMile, E-Z Mart, Fas mart, fastmarket, Fastrac, Flash Market, Garrett’s Family Market and Rapid Refill Convenience Stores, G&M Food Mart, Handy Mart, High’s, Jaco Oil – Fastrip, JBDewar Inc – Pride Pacific, Jetz, Jiffi Stop, Jiffy Stop Food Marts, Kum and Go, KwikShop, Lemmen, Li’l Cricket, Loaf N’ Jug, Loop Neighborhood Markets, Market Express, Minit Mart (limited areas), Next Door Store, OnCue (limited areas), Pride, Quarles, Quik Stop, R Store, RaceTrac, Roadrunner Markets, Rose Mart, Rutter’s, Scotchman, Sheetz, shore stop, Sprint, St. Romain Oil Co./Y-Not Stop, The Convenience Group, The Hub Convenience Stores, The Markets of Tiger Fuel Company, Tom Thumb, Town Star, TXB, Turkey Hill, Uncle’s, Village Pantry, Yesway and Young’s.

Participating retailers each support 24/7 Day in their own unique way, from offering free coffee, fountain and frozen drinks to a free breakfast and free bottled water for first responders in uniform or with a badge. A full list of participants, as well as what each store is offering, is available at 247Day.org.

“We hope you will join us in supporting the incredible community heroes who work tirelessly to lift up and help others during disasters and other crises,” said Nathan Measom, director of cause marketing for the American Red Cross. “We are grateful for this continued partnership, which is a unique celebration of those on the front line and the stores that support them. Along with the NACS Foundation, we look forward to giving a much deserved and well-earned high five to so many people on this fifth 24/7 Day.”

In addition to visiting a convenience store on 24/7 Day, the NACS Foundation invites the public to also take part by:

Donating to the American Red Cross directly to support the work they do in communities
Use the hashtag #247Day to show how you support your hometown heroes
Share stories of appreciation for first responders, medical personnel, 9-1-1 professionals, Red Cross volunteers and other local heroes in their community on social media, tagging #247Day
About the NACS Foundation

NACS Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of NACS, the global industry association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In partnership with fuel retail, convenience and suppliers across the U.S., the NACS Foundation propels brighter futures by unifying and amplifying the philanthropic and charitable activities of the industry in communities across America.

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