Cheese expertise is critical in the grocery store when it comes to consumer education. With this in mind, Whole Foods Market has welcomed 40 team members to its growing cohort of Certified Cheese Professionals (CCPs). The retailer has supported the development of more than 370 team member CCPs out of more than 1,000 worldwide.
“The American Cheese Society’s CCP designation is the crème de la crème for cheese professionals,” said Cathy Strange, Ambassador of Food Culture. “It’s an incredible asset not only for our team but also for our customers, who trust Whole Foods Market to offer the highest quality products and serve as a resource in specialty categories from cheese to wine and beyond.”
This CCP exam is renowned for its comprehensive coverage of the cheese industry, a press release noted. From production techniques and ripening processes to distribution and storage, the certification marks the highest level of achievement in the field. Whole Foods’ newest CCPs completed the rigorous process after months of preparation, including self-study, weekly webinars, and hands-on training with industry experts in Wisconsin, in collaboration with the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research.
Whole Foods has long been a pioneer in the specialty cheese sector, championing artisan producers and supporting team members in achieving excellence through advanced training and certification. The CCPs provide expert knowledge to help customers discover a wide range of cheeses sourced both locally and globally, all of which meet Whole Foods’ strict quality standards, free from artificial additives and rBST.
“This certification represents the commitment and dedication of our cheesemongers to delivering the best experience for our customers,” said Kim Dunn, Senior Category Merchant of Specialty Cheese and CCP Program Lead. “We are thrilled to see so many of our team members continue to deepen their expertise and grow within our company.”
Whole Foods is dedicated to advancing team member growth through its expanding collection of apprentice programs, including the Butcher Apprentice Program, Bakery Decorator Apprentice Program, and the recently launched Produce Professional Apprentice Program and Pizzaioli Apprentice Program.
We applaud the new Certified Cheese Professionals as they enter this role!
