An ACM cheddar cheese has beaten up to 15 entries to win first prize at Australia’s renowned dairy product awards.
The Victorian dairy processor claimed first prize in the national competition with the ‘highest scoring’ cheddar cheese at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia Awards recently.
This win came after the 20kg cheese — sold mostly as an ingredient into the domestic food service industry, retailers and high-value export markets — took out the same award in the state competition.
With up to 75 per cent of ACM’s milk going into cheese production, ACM chief commercial officer Ryan Reynolds said this recognition was a credit to everyone.
“From our 320 dairy farm suppliers, to those working in the Girgarre processing facility and all our dairy communities — this award shows the commitment to quality, craftsmanship and innovation within our industry,” Mr Reynolds said.
“At ACM, it’s these valued relationships that make awards, like this, possible. We are incredibly proud of what everyone has achieved.”
This cheese gold medal came 12 months after ACM was awarded the prize for the nation’s ‘highest scoring’ butter for three consecutive years.
This year, a gold in the Victorian dairy whey powder competition and a silver for its skim milk powder in the state categories, added to the swag of trophies travelling back up the highway to Girgarre from Melbourne.
For Mr Reynolds, these trophies symbolise the hours of effort and dedication that goes into producing high-value dairy products.
“Consistent national and state recognition for various dairy products shows that ACM delivers quality year-in-year-out,” he said.
“We also use these awards in our product promotions to customers — the gold medals independently verify what they already know about ACM’s products.”