DENVER, CO – March 12, 2026 – The American Cheese Society (ACS) has announced a new partnership with Cheese Trail LLC (CheeseTrail.org) to provide complimentary or discounted national directory listings for ACS members.
The collaboration introduces a new member benefit for ACS members while supporting Cheese Trail’s expansion into a comprehensive, state-by-state digital directory of artisan cheesemakers across the United States.
Founded in 1983, ACS is a nonprofit trade organization dedicated to promoting and supporting artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheesemakers in the Americas through education, professional development, and its annual Judging & Competition.
Cheese Trail was founded in 2011 by Vivien Straus, former Vice President of Marketing at Straus Family Creamery. The initiative began as a regional printed map highlighting cheesemakers in Sonoma and Marin counties before expanding into a statewide California Cheese Trail map and resource guide. Since launch, more than 800,000 printed Cheese Trail maps have been distributed across California.
The platform has delivered measurable results for participating cheesemakers. “Thanks to the Cheese Trail, our class attendance has increased 50%” said Sheana Davis of The Epicurean Connection in Sonoma, California.
Building on that foundation, Cheese Trail is now expanding its digital platform nationally, developing a unified yet collaborative directory designed to support regional guilds and state-level initiatives while increasing discoverability for cheesemakers.
Through this partnership, ACS members will receive enhanced visibility via listings on CheeseTrail.org, including searchable profiles with business descriptions, location details, and links to their own websites and retail partners.
“Cheese Trail has always been about lifting up cheesemakers, family farms and the communities around them,” said Vivien Straus, Founder of Cheese Trail. “By working with ACS, we can extend that support nationally while reinforcing collaboration across the industry.”
Media Contacts:
Marisa Pinette
American Cheese Society
marisa.pinette@civicamanagement.com
CheeseSociety.org
Michael Straus
Cheese Trail LLC
Hello@CheeseTrail.org
CheeseTrail.org
(415) 766-1271
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About American Cheese Society
ACS is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation, and promotion of artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses produced in the Americas. At 2,300 members strong, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development, and networking opportunities for cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts, and the extended industry. ACS strives to continually raise the quality and availability of cheese in the Americas. Since its founding in 1983, ACS has proudly hosted the foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition in North America. ACS is a 501(c)6 nonprofit association headquartered in Denver, CO. To learn more about ACS, please visit www.cheesesociety.org or contact 720-328-2788.
About Cheese Trail
Founded in 2011 by Vivien Straus, Cheese Trail connects people with the cheesemakers, farms, retailers, and destinations that shape America’s artisan cheese culture. Originally launched in California, Cheese Trail has introduced hundreds of thousands of people to local cheesemakers through maps, storytelling, events, and digital resources that encourage food discovery and agritourism, including more than 800,000 maps distributed since 2011. Straus, former Vice President of Marketing at Straus Family Creamery, comes from a family widely recognized for helping pioneer organic dairy in the United States. Today, she and her brother Michael Straus are expanding Cheese Trail nationwide through a growing online platform and partnerships with cheesemakers, cheese guilds, and regional organizations. CheeseTrail.org
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