ACS Webinar: Behind Cheese Quality Schemes and Geographical Indications: Real Stories and Practical Benefits in Today’s Changing World
Join us for a deep dive into the world of cheese producers of cheese with a Geographical Indication and quality scheme. Exchange on best practices in quality strategies in the European Union and the United States. and how producers can turn them into economic benefits. Learn how producers of cheeses with GI labels work in practice, how they define product specifications, link them to their unique territory, deal with sustainability and climate change challenges, and balance modern food technology with protecting heritage and traditional recipes. First-hand stories from producers and other experts will highlight the importance of GIs for authenticity, economic impact, and their connection to U.S. cheese-making practices.
Hosted by cheese authority Tenaya Darlington aka Madame Fromage, this session will leave you with a new appreciation of the benefits of quality signs in the cheese world.
Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 10am MT / 12pm ET
Free for ACS members or $25 for nonmembers.
REGISTER HERE
The recording will be posted to the ACS Learning Center after.
Meet Your Speakers!
Moderator: Tenaya Darlington, Madame Fromage
Tenaya Darlington a.k.a Madame Fromage is an American author, educator, and food writer, known for her expertise in cheese and her creative culinary work. Tenaya Darlington is particularly recognized for her passion for cheese and her role in promoting cheese culture. She has written extensively about cheese, including her book "The New American Cheese," which highlights artisanal cheese makers and the diversity of cheese in the U.S.
Michele Buster, Co-Founder of Forever Cheese
Michele Buster is a prominent figure in the American cheese industry, known for her work with Forever Cheese, a company that specializes in importing and distributing artisanal cheeses from around the world. Founded in 1998, Forever Cheese focuses on high-quality, authentic products, emphasizing sustainability and supporting small producers. Michele has helped with the registration of PDO Queso de Murcia in Spain and will explain the steps to register a PDO and how it has led to support the local economy and exports to the US.
Silke Boger, Counselor for Agriculture, European Union Delegation to the U.S.
Silke Boger has held the position of Counsellor for Agriculture at the Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America since 2021. She has managed the economics of the various agricultural markets, as well as the implementation of regular and exceptional EU market measures. Previously, Silke worked in agricultural policy-making at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Germany. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics. As a European authority, Silke will bring insight into the specific topic of sustainability which is a very important theme for the US cheese industry – she will explore how Quality Schemes and sustainability are linked and bring some key data and insights and focus on sustainability as a new trend and challenge.
Miguel Rolo, Former Cheesemaker
Miguel was a cheesemaker for over 20 years of Queijo de Azeitão PDO and Queijo de Évora PDO. With representatives of the PDO’s Parmigiano Reggiano, Comté and Mahon, he took part in the coordinating committee of the “New Marketing Strategies for PDO Cheeses” project which allowed him to get to know the reality of PDO’s in the participating countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, France and Portugal). He will speak about how GIs affect the craft; from the day-to-day practices (especially for sustainability) and how the quality signs adds value for exporting.
Martina Pernar Škunca, Cheesemaker
Martina is a cheesemaker of Paški sir PDO in Croatia and the marketing manager for Paška Sirana, a relatively small cheese company based on the island of Pag, Croatia. They produce around 100 tons of Paški sir PDO annually, with a focus on high quality and traditional production methods, exporting to Europe, Asia, and the US. She will speak about how GIs affect the craft; from the day-to-day practices (especially for sustainability) and how the quality signs adds value for exporting.
Event Details
Date: Mon, Aug. 4, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Cost: Free for ACS Members, $25 for Nonmembers
