American Cheese Society

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The American Cheese Society (ACS) is a non-profit trade group for the American cheese industry that was founded in 1983.

ACS promotes American cheeses,^[1] provides the industry with educational resources and networking opportunities and encourages high standards of Cheesemaking with safety and sustainability. ACS issues awards for cheeses and cultured dairy products in its annual Judging & Competition. Since 1983, cheesemakers, retailers, distributors, importers/exporters, dairy farmers, academics, enthusiasts, specialty food producers, and others have attended the association's Annual Conference.^[2][3]

ACS was founded by Frank Kosikowski, a professor at Cornell University. Kosikowski authored several books on cheese, including Cheese and Fermented Milk Food.^[4] During the 1980s, most of the ACS staff was volunteer. By the 1990s, ACS had grown along with the American cheese industry.

In 2018 ACS had nearly 1,800 members of the association worldwide.^[5] Professional membership is those working in the industry, and Associate for non-professionals.^[6]