Long Island City, NY – Forever Cheese, pioneering importer of cheese and specialty foods, was honored by Whole Foods Market with the Raising the Bar for Quality award at the company’s Supplier Awards ceremony in Austin, Texas. The annual awards recognize suppliers that embody Whole Foods Market’s mission and values through a proven commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation, and partnership.
Forever Cheese imports artisan cheese and specialty foods from Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. Throughout its 20 years in business, it has been dedicated to sourcing the finest cheeses and accompaniments under a variety of brands, including Mitica®, its proprietary brand. Mitica® represents Forever Cheese in the marketplace and puts a name to the selection and quality for which the importer is known. One example is Mitica® Parmigiano Reggiano 24 Month, which comes from specific farms selected for their superior quality and artistry. Forever Cheese and Whole Foods Market worked in tandem to choose farms exclusively for its stores. Each year, during Whole Foods Market’s annual “Parm Crack” event, a wheel of the cheese is cracked in every store across the country.
Forever Cheese’s selection is expertly sourced and curated by its two co-founders, Michele Buster and Pierluigi Sini. They focus on the most exceptional, unique, and authentic products and promote the stories of their producers, putting the education of customers at the forefront. Their partnership with Whole Foods Market dates back to 1994, when they were importing just Genuine Fulvi® Pecorino Romano and a few traditional Italian cheeses, all made by Sini’s family. They now stock just under 500 products, including many exclusive cheeses as well as charcuterie, nuts, chocolate, and honey.
“We are extremely honored to be chosen for this incredible award,” explains Michele Buster, cofounder of Forever Cheese. “Our company values align with Whole Foods Market’s and our partnership has always been very important to us. They are passionate and committed to educating their team members and customers, which has helped to increase the popularity of specialty cheese long term. We are proud to have grown with them over the past 25 years.”
Forever Cheese was one of 28 suppliers recognized this year. The honorees were selected by Whole Foods Market category experts and buyers who work closely with suppliers on a daily basis.
About Forever Cheese: Forever Cheese imports artisan cheeses and accompaniments from Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. It is driven by its passion for discovering exceptional products, many of which are sold under the brand name Mitica®. The company pioneered important products that are now integral to today’s market, including Drunken Goat®, Genuine Fulvi® Pecorino Romano, Mitica® Marcona Almonds, and Mitica® Fig and Date Cakes. Founders Michele Buster and Pierluigi Sini personally hand-select each item directly from their producers. It is their goal to have each one taste as if you were eating it in its native country. Learn more at forevercheese.com. Contact: Chelsea Bryant chelsea@forevercheese.com
