St. Malachi Named Best of Show at ACS Competition
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
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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SEG Donates $160K to Southeast Food Banks
Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, has donated $160,000 to eight Southeast food banks to help combat food insecurity among families during the summer months.
According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 children across the United States may experience food insecurity and millions of children count on school meal programs to provide their daily nutrition. However, during the summer break, many children worry about where their next meal will come from as they lose access to these crucial programs while school is not in session.
Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “With children at home during the summer months, the struggle to put enough food on the table for many families is often magnified. Through our donations to local food banks and our ongoing community hunger-relief initiatives, we are proud to support the tireless work of our regional partners to bridge the nutrition gap for our neighbors in need. We are dedicated to providing families with the nourishing food they need for a healthy life, and we remain committed to strengthening the communities we serve – today and every day.”
The five states SEG serves, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, rank in the top 20 for highest child poverty rates in the country, with three states falling within the top ten2. With these somber rankings further highlighting the critical need, SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation are steadfast in their commitment to support organizations that alleviate the burden on families in local communities. The following local food banks will each receive $20,000 to help fight hunger this summer:
Brighter Bites – Southwest Florida
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Feeding Northeast Florida
Feeding South Florida
Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding the Gulf Coast
Food Bank of Greater Baton Rouge
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
The grocer continues to support neighbors in need throughout the year by giving back to local initiatives working to nurture underserved communities. Last month, the grocer donated $20,000 in groceries and vital funds to New Orleans Community Fridges, a local mutual aid effort to provide free food to community members in need. SEG is also partnering with Pie in the Sky Community Alliance, through the end of the year, to deliver 100 cartons of fresh eggs each month to more than 550 seniors in St. Johns County, Fla. In 2022, SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation donated more than $700,000 and 14 million pounds of food to organizations combating hunger throughout the Southeast, including Feeding America network food banks.
Additionally, with inflationary pressures continuing to affect people across the country, SEG is committed to helping every customer save on their grocery bills. In addition to shopping weekly specials, customers can maximize savings by using the grocer’s loyalty program with the Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie apps. The rewards program offers additional winning deals, digital coupons and points that can be redeemed for money off groceries. The program also provides points multipliers and personalized rewards offers as well as the grocer’s new Big App Deal, which allows customers to score a free item or bonus points. Through July 18, shoppers who activate the Big App Deal within the app will earn $5 in rewards points when purchasing SE Grocers Ground Coffee.
SEG also lowers prices on more than 150 commonly shopped items each season to help customers stretch their grocery budget year-round. Through the grocer’s “Down Down” program in Winn-Dixie stores, customers can save more than 15 percent on average at their neighborhood store when shopping items marked by the red hand on signs and tags throughout the store. Similarly, items marked in yellow and green signage at Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket are part of the “Low Price” and “Low Low Price” programs providing customers with deep discounts on their family’s grocery trip.
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