American Cheese Month is a grassroots celebration of North America’s delicious and diverse cheeses, and the farmers, cheesemakers, retailers, cheesemongers, and chefs who bring them to the table. In 2019, The American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF) Board of Directors voted to move American Cheese Month from October to May to better support the needs of cheesemakers and retailers.

In addition to spotlighting America’s robust cheese culture, the ACEF, the American Cheese Society (ACS), and its members aim to:

• Recognize and raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses
• Support and promote great cheese, local foods, family farms, traditional methods, and sustainable production models
• Generate funding for education, scholarships, and research initiatives through the American Cheese Society

A large proportion of the funds raised during American Cheese Month goes to scholarships supporting ACS members to attend the annual industry conference. There, attendees including the scholarship recipients are able to enrich their professional experiences and cultivate industry connections in a sector still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. 

ACS member cheesemakers, retailers, and specialty food distributors are encouraged to donate a portion of their sales to ACEF. Individuals can also donate funds to help build the cheese community’s future here.

Susan Axelrod

Susan Sherrill Axelrod is a former editor of Culture. Her love affair with cheese began at age 12, when she bicycled to a gourmet shop to taste an exotic newcomer—French brie. She lives with her partner in midcoast Maine, where she enjoys a well-made cocktail, hiking with their dog, Lucy, and spending as much time as possible on the water.