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    Deli Market News

    Here at Deli Market News, we believe all cheese is good cheese, a belief we share with the Cheese Importers Association of America (CIAA). While this seems obvious to those of us who live and breathe cheese, the CIAA knows that there is still some mystery around the imported stuff. To remedy this, the CIAA is unveiling these mysteries and educating U.S. consumers, retailers, and foodservice operators on the wide variety, exquisite quality, and unique craftsmanship of imported cheese through its new “I Love Imported Cheese” website. Phil Marfuggi, President, CIAA “The website is part of a larger national campaign that was developed to educate Americans about imported cheese through a variety of communication channels,” Phil Marfuggi, CIAA’s President, shared with me. “The goal is to bring attention to respected, time-honored traditions and production methods that translate into products that we cannot say are better than domestic cheese, but surely have a uniquely distinct flavor profile. We want to familiarize consumers and retailers with the wide variety of cheeses imported into the U.S. and raise awareness of the many ways one can experience imported cheese.”

    The website takes visitors on a journey around the world with cheese

    The “I Love Imported Cheese” website features an introduction to imported cheese, recipes, cooking videos, cheese profiles and pairings, entertaining tips, and more. The site also offers a search feature for the curious to browse cheeses by country, style, and milk type. Phil even noted that the website is not only educational, but also entertaining with a theme that takes visitors on a journey around the world in the best vessel around—cheese! “Imported cheese takes us on a trip around the world like no other. Whether your heart belongs to styles that are creamy, crumbly, mild, or bold, for melting or grating, imported cheeses offer something for everyone to love,” Phil said. “With thousands of varieties to discover, capturing the spirit of the countries where they were made, imports are the cheese lover’s passport to a global tasting tour.” Phil explained that retailers can rely on the website as a resource when they are buying product and can, in the long run, expand the footprint and sales of imported cheese in their stores. Retailers were able to learn about cheese production and supply chains while meeting with producers, importers, and other retailers in Italy and France Retailers were able to learn about cheese production and supply chains while meeting with producers, importers, and other retailers in Italy and France In addition to a brand-new website, the CIAA is celebrating a successful trip to Paris for the SIAL Show. The association hosted 11 cheese retailers on the trip, with nine of the retailers also receiving the opportunity to experience Cremona, Italy. The retailers not only were able to get up close and personal with varying styles of cheesemaking, they were also able to learn about cheese production and supply chains while meeting with producers, importers, and other retailers in Italy and France.  While touring Italian production plants during the trip, one retailer said, “It is great to see the rich history, tradition, and passion that goes into cheesemaking and aging.” Thanks to the CIAA’s hard work and dedication to educating anyone and everyone about the deliciousness of dairy products hailing from around the world, I’m predicting the saying of 2019 will be: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for imported cheese!”