Denver, CO & Green Bay, WI – The American Cheese Society (ACS) and Cherney Microbiological Services, Ltd. (Cherney), are delighted to announce their new partnership to provide discounted testing to members of ACS. With the goal of enhancing cheese quality and safety by providing cost-effective solutions to ACS members, the partnership provides education, discounted services, simplified testing packages, and technical support. This program grew from the need to provide support for artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheese manufacturers. With new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations and impending deadlines for compliance, this partnership helps provide producers with access to needed resources at reduced costs.
Cherney’s almost 30-year history as a food safety testing provider within the dairy (specifically cheese) industry aligned seamlessly with ACS’s 35-year history of serving the cheese community through its focused mission and core values. “We listened to our members,” says ACS Executive Director, Nora Weiser, “and Cherney listened to us. Our members were looking for a simplified, cost-effective way to enhance the quality and safety of their products while ensuring compliance with the latest regulations.” Knowing the struggle that small- to mid-size producers face, ACS and Cherney worked together with input from industry stakeholders to develop a streamlined “start to finish” testing program. Packages that address minimum testing requirements to enhance safety and compliance are important for encouraging participation in the program. All-inclusive packages are designed for ease of use, rapid results, consistent budget planning, and overall compliance. Providing members with additional support such as customized training, auditing, and consultation from Cherney’s trusted Technical Support Team extends the value of this partnership.
“At Cherney, we understand that there is a growing trend for locally-sourced food produced in smaller batches in the United States. While this trend has clear advantages to the consumer, it also creates challenges when it comes to food safety and regulatory compliance for the producer,” stated Stephen Kuchenberg, Cherney’s Chief Operating Officer. “Cherney is proud to partner with a great organization such as ACS to help their members succeed and meet the growing demand for their products. All in all, we see this as a great opportunity to drive food safety forward through a collaborative approach.”
ACS member organizations who participate in the program can easily save enough money through available discounts to offset their annual dues. In addition to award-winning resources, like ACS’s Safe Cheesemaking Hub, and industry standard-setting publications such as the ACS Best Practices Guide for Cheesemakers and newly released ACS Cheese & Dairy Product Lexicon and Glossary, partnerships such as this one with Cherney continue to enhance industry safety.
Organizations interested in learning more about this partnership can contact Cherney at 920- 406-8300 or customerservice@cherneymicro.com. Organizations interested in joining ACS or renewing their ACS membership can visit www.cheesesociety.org or call 720-328-2788.
About the American Cheese Society (ACS) ACS is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. At 1,800 members strong, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development, and networking opportunities for cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts, and extended industry. ACS strives to continually raise the quality and availability of cheese in the Americas. For more information, visit www.cheesesociety.org.
Cherney Microbiological Services, Ltd., is an ISO 17025/ ISO 17043 accredited food testing laboratory and proficiency program provider that offers partnerships for companies by mitigating risk through proactive testing approaches, continual improvement, and focus on quality. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Cherney also has a second facility in Clovis, New Mexico. For more information, visit www.cherneymicro.com.
Source: American Cheese Society