2019 September Board Book

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Giambroni CMAB jgiambroni@cmab.net (209) 690-8244 Real California Cheeses Bring Home 50 Awards at American Cheese Society Competition in Richmond, VA TRACY, Calif. – August 2, 2019 – Cow’s milk cheese and dairy processors that use the Real California Milk seal brought home 50 awards from the 2019 annual cheese competition held by the American Cheese Society (ACS) , July 31-August 3, 2019 in Richmond, Va. The American Cheese Society recognizes the finest cheeses and dairy products made in the Americas. A total of 1742 cheese and cultured dairy products were entered the competition. Cheeses made with 100% California cow’s milk had another strong showing this year in a field of 257 processors representing the United States, Canada, Columbia and Venezuela. California cheesemakers won a total of 81 awards – the second largest showing in the competition – with Real California cow’s milk cheeses bringing home 50 prizes: 19 first-place, 20 second-place and 11 third-place awards in this year’s judging. Highlights from these wins include: • Marquez Brothers International, Inc., San Jose – 15 awards: 1st place each for Panela (Hispanic and Portuguese Style Cheeses), Crema Agria, Plain Stir Yogurt (Cultured Milk and Cream Products), Guava Drinkable Yogurt, Mango Drinkable Yogurt, Strawberry Banana Drinkable Yogurt, and Strawberry Drinkable Yogurt (Flavored Cheeses/Yogurts & Cultured Products with Flavor Added); 2 nd place each for Jocoque (Cultured Milk and Cream Products), Queso Fresco Casero Cheese, Queso Fresco Cremoso Cheese (Hispanic and Portuguese Style Cheeses), Peach Drinkable Yogurt, Piña Colada Drinkable Yogurt, and Strawberry Banana Cereal Smoothie (Flavored Cheeses/Yogurts & Cultured Products with Flavor Added); and 3 rd place each for Queso Cotija (Hispanic and Portuguese Style Cheeses) and Guava Stir Yogurt (Flavored Cheeses/Yogurts & Cultured Products with Flavor Added), • Karoun Dairies, Inc., Turlock – five awards: 1 st place each for Brinza Feta (Feta – Cow’s Milk) and Masala Yogurt Dip (Flavored Cheeses/Yogurts & Cultured Products with Flavor Added); 2 nd for Bulgarian Yogurt (Cultured Milk and Cream Products); and 3 rd each for Whole Milk Yogurt and Armenian Yogurt (Cultured Milk and Cream Products). • Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Pt. Reyes – five awards: 1 st place each for Point Reyes Bay Blue (Blue Mold Cheeses), The Fork Pimento Cheese and The Fork Original Blue & Date Spread (Flavored Cheeses); and 3 rd each for Point Reyes Toma (American Originals) and Point Reyes Tomaprovence (Flavored Cheeses). An instrumentality of the Department of Food & Agriculture, State of California