Blog
Certification, education, advocacy, events, industry news and the members behind them — written by the Federation, for the people who make, age, sell and buy the cheese.
Member spotlight: training the seasonal hires
A cheesemonger who earned her Certified Cheesemonger credential this spring is now the one training the counter's seasonal hires before the holiday rush hits.
Read postA webinar for the storefront you haven't built
This Thursday's webinar on digital storefronts is aimed at members still taking orders by text message and voicemail, and at anyone whose online shop hasn't changed since it…
Read postWhat the holiday case actually wants this year
National sales data points to a strong holiday for specialty cheese, but the growth is concentrated in a few categories. Here's what that means for how members build…
Read postThe path to judging a competition
Wednesday's judging standards webinar filled up fast. If you're wondering what it actually takes to sit on a panel, here's the credential path from tasting to table.
Read postMember spotlight: after the creamery closed
One member spent three years as an assistant cheesemaker at a small farmstead creamery. This spring it closed. She told us what the months since have looked like.
Read postThe data gap behind this week's numbers
A federal funding lapse has paused the reports the industry leans on for pricing and planning. Here's what's still visible, and what to do without the rest.
Read postHer first fall running the cave alone
An assistant cheesemaker at a small farmstead dairy took over full responsibility for the aging cave this fall after her mentor's hours were cut back.
Read postCosting a wheel when everything costs more
Feed costs eased this fall while labor, packaging, and utilities kept climbing, which means the make-cost math many creameries rely on is quietly out of date.
Read postThe shutdown and your margin numbers
A federal shutdown has delayed the milk production data that dairy risk programs depend on, leaving margin coverage calculations and farm bill renewal both stuck in limbo.
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