Our Initiatives

Cheese Culture Coaltion

We are proud to partner with this grassroots organization of women to promote equity and inclusion within the cheese industry by empowering BIPOC communities through education. To help their efforts, consider making a donation here. To learn more about the programs they offer, visit here.

“Back in the Vat” Grant

This is a grant opportunity for American cheese professionals to experience an all-expenses paid in-person educational experience, up to $2,000 each. While we have a list of partners to choose from, applicants will be able to also propose partners to us for consideration. To learn more, visit here.

Cheeseletes 5k

The annual fun run to raise monies and awareness for our “Back in the Vat” Grant and

grassroots cheese organizations around the United States.

Jess Perrie and Rachel Juhl are cheese professionals who are incredibly passionate and committed to encouraging

and enriching the educational experience within the cheese industry. In 2016, the “Run For The Cheese Party 5k”

at the American Cheese Society Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, raised over $8,000 for the

Daphne Zepos Teaching Award (DZTA) and American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF).

Since then, The Cheeseletes 5k has raised over $53,000 for various cheese industry organizations like Pennsylvania Cheese Guild
and James Beard Foundation. The successful momentum and fundraising inspired our own
“Back in the Vat” grant which launched in January 2023.

Visit here to see fun shots of our 2023 5k in Des Moines, IA.