Vermont Cheese Council

What Vermont Cheese Council does

Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) is a member-driven 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1995 and headquartered at PO Box 5422 in Essex Junction, Vermont, with operational presence in Waitsfield and Rutland. It represents over 40 cheese-producing organizations across Vermont — from large producers with 50+ staff and relationships with 20+ dairy farms to small farmstead operations with 1–3 employees and their own animal herds — collectively producing 150+ cheese varieties and a Vermont Cheese Brand valued at $650 million in economic activity. The Council's mission is to support the health, growth, and success of its members through collective marketing, professional cheese education, business support, and industry sustainability programs, while connecting cheesemakers to consumers, chefs, retailers, and industry professionals.

VCC's product portfolio is a mix of consumer-facing programs and B2B services. Flagship consumer-facing assets include the Vermont Cheese Trail (a trademarked interactive map of 40+ creameries), the annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival (14th edition, September 20, 2026 at Shelburne Farms), the week-long Vermont Cheese Week (September 13–20, 2026), and the seasonal Holiday Tasting Kit. B2B offerings include the Artisan Cheesemakers Conference (in-person, $125 per registrant with member and guild discounts), Business Miniversity (a nine-week virtual course at $100 per series), and The Science of Farmstead Cheese self-paced online course delivered on Thinkific (with a $400 discount for VCC members). The Council's technology stack is intentionally lightweight: WordPress for the public site, Wild Apricot for member administration, and Thinkific for course hosting. The only proprietary digital feature is the Vermont Cheese Trail interactive map with "open / call ahead / no farm tours" icons, rated by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler as one of the "7 Best East Coast Food and Wine Trails."

The Council generates revenue across seven streams: Principal Membership dues (cheesemakers), Associate Membership tiers (Gold $2,500 / Silver $1,000 / Bronze $500 annually), event ticket sales for Festival and Cheese Week, conference registration, course tuition (Business Miniversity, Science of Farmstead Cheese), corporate sponsorships across Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze levels from partners including Cabot Creamery, Shelburne Farms, Vermont Creamery, Vermont Dairy Farmers, Farm Credit East, Provisions International, Jasper Hill Farm, and Organic Valley, and Holiday Tasting Kit sales. Go-to-market is community- and event-led: a 12-person board drawn principally from cheesemaker members governs the organization; leadership consists of an Executive Director (Haley Elkins), President (Andi Wandt), Community Engagement Manager (Claire Natola), and Development Coordinator (Chelsea Johnson). End customers include individual consumers and visitors on the Cheese Trail, retail buyers and grocery chains (Kroger), specialty retailers (Formaggio Kitchen, Saxelby Cheese, Murray's Cheese, DiBruno Bros., Mad River Taste Place, Cheese & Wine Traders), and chefs sourcing through regional distributors (Provisions International, Black River Produce, Newport Specialty Foods, Vermont Roots).

Name

Vermont Cheese Council

Legal name

Vermont Cheese Council

Website

https://vtcheese.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vermont Cheese Council is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1995 that represents 40-plus Vermont cheesemakers through collective marketing, professional education, and signature events including the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, Cheese Week, and the Vermont Cheese Trail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cheese Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Artisan cheese association
• Cheese industry trade group
• Farmstead cheese promotion
• Cheesemaker professional development
• Specialty food education

Headquarters

HQ city

Essex Junction

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Principal membership for Vermont cheese producers plus Associate Partnership tiers (Gold $2,500, Silver $1,000, Bronze $500 annually) for businesses that support the cheese community.
2. Event Revenue: Ticket sales for Vermont Cheesemakers Festival (general admission and industry admission), with proceeds supporting Vermont dairy farmers and the cheese community.
3. Conference Registration: Revenue from Artisan Cheesemakers Conference registration ($125/person with discounts for VCC members, ACS/cheese guild partners, and Vermont food cooperative staff).
4. Business Miniversity Enrollment: Virtual 9-week business education course at $100 per series, designed for cheese producers, value-added food producers, and specialty food retail.
5. Online Course Sales: The Science of Farmstead Cheese self-paced online course, with $400 discount for VCC members.
6. Sponsorships & Underwriting: Corporate sponsorships for seasonal underwriting, event sponsorship (Festival, Cheese Week, Conference), and education underwriting from partners including Cabot, Shelburne Farms, Vermont Creamery, Vermont Dairy Farmers, Farm Credit East, Jasper Hill Farm, and others.
7. Holiday Tasting Kit Sales: Annual holiday tasting kits featuring Vermont cheeses and accoutrements, with proceeds supporting the Vermont Cheese Council. Shipping available to select states for additional fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) is a 501(c)(6) member-driven nonprofit trade association that supports 40+ Vermont cheesemaking organizations through collective marketing, professional education, business support, and industry advocacy. It delivers a portfolio of programs including the Vermont Cheese Trail interactive map, the annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, Vermont Cheese Week, the Holiday Tasting Kit, the Science of Farmstead Cheese online course, the Business Miniversity, and the Artisan Cheesemakers Conference, all under the Vermont Cheese Brand.

Product overview

The Vermont Cheese Council operates as a membership-based nonprofit organization representing Vermont's cheesemaking community. Rather than a unified software platform, the organization offers a portfolio of programs and services including the Vermont Cheese Trail (interactive map of 40+ creameries), the annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, Vermont Cheese Week, Holiday Tasting Kits, educational courses (The Science of Farmstead Cheese online course, Business Miniversity), and the Artisan Cheesemakers Conference. These programs work together to promote the Vermont Cheese Brand, support member cheesemakers, and provide education and business resources to the artisan cheese community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vermont Cheese Council Membership (Principal and Associate) Annual membership program for Vermont cheese-producing Principal Members and supporting Associate Members, providing organizational support, professional education, business resources, marketing, and industry advocacy under the Vermont Cheese Brand.
• Vermont Cheese Trail Interactive online map and trail program that helps visitors plan trips to 40+ Vermont cheesemakers, with open, call-ahead, and no-tour designations.
• Vermont Cheesemakers Festival Annual ticketed festival at Shelburne Farms celebrating Vermont cheese, featuring cheese tastings, artisan food producers, wine, cider, beer, spirits, and industry networking with separate industry and general admission windows.
• Vermont Cheese Week Week-long statewide celebration of Vermont cheese featuring cheese dinners, tastings, pairings, farm/creamery tours, restaurant and retail specials, and lodging partner promotions, running September 13-20, 2026.
• Holiday Tasting Kit Annual curated gift kit featuring nine Vermont cheeses plus accoutrements (preserves, crackers, chocolates, and macarons), with proceeds supporting the Vermont Cheese Council, available for pickup or shipping to select states.
• Artisan Cheesemakers Conference Annual in-person conference for artisan cheesemakers focused on cheese storytelling, tasting techniques, presentation skills, and business practices, scheduled for May 1, 2026 in Rutland, VT.
• The Science of Farmstead Cheese (Online Course) Self-paced online course delivered via Thinkific that teaches the science and chemistry of milk and farmstead cheese for visual learners, with content from food and cheese scientist Pat Polowski.
• Business Miniversity 9-week virtual course covering leadership, management, finances, marketing, and business strategy for cheese producers, value-added food producers, and specialty food retail, priced at $100 per series.

Quantifiable outcome

• 54 ribbons (record-breaking) at 2026 ACS Competition with 15 Vermont cheesemakers participating and every Vermont maker who entered winning.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Tiny Seed Project, Inc.coreOthersFiscal sponsor for the VCC Education Fund as a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 84-2097757). Donations to the Education Fund are tax-deductible and restricted exclusively to education programs.
• Cabot Creamery CooperativeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Season Sponsor and one of Vermont's largest cheesemakers. Supports VCC events including Festival, Cheese Week, and Conference. The cooperative submitted numerous award-winning entries at ACS and World Cheese competitions.
• Shelburne FarmsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum Season Sponsor and host venue for the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival at the historic Breeding Barn. Produces award-winning farmstead cheddar and educational tours.
• Vermont CreameryflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Season Sponsor and major Vermont artisan cheese producer. Multiple award winner including Reserve Best in Show at The Big E for Bijou cheese. Supports VCC events and programs.
• Vermont Dairy FarmersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum Season Sponsor representing Vermont dairy farmers who supply milk to cheese producers. Purchase of Festival products directly supports Vermont dairy farmers.
• Jasper Hill FarmcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor and award-winning Vermont cheesemaker (Best in Show 2026 ACS). Producer of Bayley Hazen Blue, Harbison, and other acclaimed cheeses. Also supports Business Miniversity program.
• Provisions InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold Sponsor and Vermont-based specialty food distributor located in White River Junction, VT. Distributes Vermont cheeses to retailers and restaurants.
• ReisercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor for Festival and Business Miniversity. Food equipment company supporting the Vermont cheese industry.
• American Cheese SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold Sponsor for the 2026 Artisan Cheesemakers Conference. Leading organization supporting farmstead, artisan, and specialty cheeses in the Americas. VCC reimburses member entry fees for ACS competitions.
• The Hub CoWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold Sponsor and host venue for the 2026 Artisan Cheesemakers Conference at 67 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT.
• Dairy ConnectioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor for Conference and Business Miniversity. Dairy industry supplier supporting Vermont cheese producers.
• Organic ValleycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor for Conference and Business Miniversity. Farmer-owned cooperative supporting sustainable agriculture and artisan cheese production.
• Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & MarketscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner supporting Vermont cheese producers through regulatory assistance and industry development programs.
• Northeast Dairy Business Innovation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing resources and support for dairy industry innovation and business development.
• Vermont Farmstead Cheese CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Sponsor for Festival. Windsor, VT-based cheese producer known for Farmstead Brie and Maple Bacon Cheddar.
• Maplebrook FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor for Festival. Award-winning Vermont cheese producer known for burrata, ricotta, and mozzarella products.
• Grafton Village CheeseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Sponsor for Festival. Grafton, VT producer known for Shepsog, Clothbound Cheddar, and Bear Hill cheeses.
• Spring Brook Farm CheeseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Sponsor for Festival. Reading, VT producer known for Reading and Tarentaise Reserve cheeses.
• Cheese Guild PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with cheese guilds across the U.S. (California, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin) for education discounts and cross-guild collaboration.
• Vermont Specialty Food AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing 20% discount for members on Business Miniversity and other educational programs.
• Northeast Organic Farming Association of VermontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization (NOFA-VT) providing educational discounts for members on VCC programs.
• Vermont Fresh NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting local food connections and providing educational discounts for members.
• Vermont Farm to PlateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing educational discounts for members on VCC programming.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Cheese Society: National nonprofit organization supporting farmstead, artisan, and specialty cheeses across the Americas. VCC is a formal Gold Sponsor partner and reimburses member entry fees for ACS competitions, making ACS the umbrella professional body that overlaps VCC's education and event mandate at national scale.
• Wisconsin Specialty Cheese Institute: Wisconsin-based association of specialty cheese manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers. Comparable to VCC in serving specialty/artisan cheese makers but operating in a much larger, commercially oriented cheese market.

Regional players

• Vermont Fresh Network: Vermont-based nonprofit connecting local farmers, chefs, and consumers. A formal VCC partner offering reciprocal member discounts, sharing the Vermont food-system advocacy mandate and small-state nonprofit operating model.
• Vermont Specialty Food Association: Vermont-based nonprofit trade association for specialty food producers with broader scope than cheese. A formal VCC partner offering reciprocal educational discounts, sharing the same Vermont stakeholder ecosystem and small-state trade association model.

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association: State-level trade association representing Wisconsin cheesemakers, with comparable functions in advocacy, member education, and industry events. Most analogous organization to VCC given Wisconsin's status as the largest U.S. cheese-producing state.
• California Artisan Cheese Guild: California-based nonprofit guild supporting artisan cheesemakers with education, networking, and events. Listed as a VCC cheese guild partner with reciprocal educational discounts, indicating direct peer overlap in membership services and craft cheesemaker support.
• New York State Cheese Manufacturers Association: New York-based trade association representing cheesemakers in the state's growing artisan cheese sector. Listed as a VCC cheese guild partner; directly comparable in state-level advocacy, education, and member services for cheesemakers.
• Maine Cheese Guild: Northeast regional guild supporting Maine cheesemakers through education and community events. A formal VCC cheese guild partner with cross-discount programs, making it a close comparable in mission, scale, and artisan/farmstead focus.
• Oregon Cheese Guild: Oregon-based nonprofit promoting artisan cheesemakers and craft cheese education. Cross-guild partner of VCC with reciprocal member discounts — directly comparable in mission and event-driven operating model.

Others

• Cabot Creamery Cooperative: Vermont-based dairy cooperative and a VCC Platinum Season Sponsor that produces award-winning cheese. Included as a comparable because it represents the type of large member-producer whose participation underpins VCC's sponsorship, distribution, and award success.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vtcheesecouncil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/vtcheesecouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/VermontCheeseCouncil
• Pinterestpinterest.com/vtcheese
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vermont-cheese-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vermont Cheese Council