SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., & MODESTO, Calif. – June 1, 2008 – Cheese is the word at the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) show, June 1-3 in New Orleans. The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) “Street of Cheeses” will feature Real California Cheese from 20 California cheesemakers, including three producers that were recently awarded top honors at the 2008 California State Fair California Cheese Competition.
Each year California cheesemakers win high-profile awards around the world. The CMAB is pleased to announce that the Fiscalini Cheese Company, Sierra Nevada Cheese Company and Marin French Cheese Company were awarded “Best of Division” awards at the 2008 California State Fair California Cheese Competition, and their cheeses will be sampled at the CMAB “Street of Cheeses.”
“This year, organizers of the California State Fair California Cheese Competition redefined the entry classifications and scoring, making it a more exciting competition,” said Lynne Devereux, competition judge and president of the California Artisan Cheese Guild. “The bar is being raised by California’s own outstanding cheeses, and this competition continues to turn out winners who go on to win accolades from around the country.”
The cheese producers being featured on the CMAB “Street of Cheeses” include: Bravo Farms, Cacique USA Company, Fiscalini Cheese Company, Great Lakes Cheese, Karoun Dairies, Inc., Lactalis USA, Marin French Cheese Company, Mozzarella Fresca, Inc., Pacific Cheese, Party Cheese, Inc., Rizo-Lopez Foods, Rumiano Cheese Company, Sierra Nevada Cheese Co., Inc., Three Sisters Farmstead Cheese, Chateaux Corporation, Point Reyes, Spring Hill, Cantare, Humboldt Creamery and California Dairy Inc. CMAB booth numbers are: 2001, 2007, 2116, 2118, 2122, 2127, 2201, 2207, 2215 and 2301.
In addition to the “Street of Cheeses,” the CMAB is bringing back an IDDBA favorite-- Mark Todd, the pizza specialist and cheese aficionado also known as “The Cheese Dude.” Todd will concoct on site a variety of gourmet pies with cheeses featured in the CMAB “Street of Cheeses.”
The CMAB will also have a presence at the Show & Sell Merchandising Pavilion, where retailers can participate in a virtual shopping experience. Participants will also see merchandising and promotional examples for Real California Cheese and demonstrations on how the cheeses can be displayed.
California is the nation's leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream, yogurt and nonfat dry milk than any other state. Home to more than 50 cheesemakers who produce 250 varieties and styles, California is the second-largest producer of cheese, which is available nationally under the Real California Cheese seal.
Contact:
Tricia Heinrich CMAB triciah@cmab.net (650) 871-6459 x.304
Sara Kerns, Ketchum sara.kerns@ketchum.com (415) 984-6229
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About the California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s 2,000 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest commodity boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information on California dairy products, visit www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com.
Editor’s note: photos are available from the CMAB upon request.