Cheese Importers Association Sells Out Trip to SIAL Show

Teri Williams

9 years ago

Cheese Importers Association Sells out Tripto SIAL Show in Paris, France

The Cheese importers Association sold out their Biennial Trip to the SIAL Show in Paris, France. For the past several years, The CIAA has hosted this special trip to the SIAL Food Show, the world’s largest food trade show, held every two years in Paris.

As part of the trip which took place October 18-22, ten food retailers selling wholesale cheese were selected in a random lottery drawing to win an all-expense paid trip to the Show. In addition to attending the SIAL Show, retailers participated in all sponsored events and educational opportunities with CIAA members. Throughout the week there were numerous opportunities to learn about new innovations and international distribution while networking with international food manufacturers and industry professionals.

The retailers who attended the SIAL trip included:

Olga Dominguez: Cheese Manager/Buyer, Zabar’s & Co., New York, NY
Michael Duncan: Corp. Sr. Director, Deli/Food Service, Save Mart Super Markets, Modesto, CA
Cathy Gaffney: Director, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., Rochester, NY
Jill Johnson: Sourcing Manager, Supervalu, Eden Prairie, MN
Brian Morrison, Director of Stores, Clark’s Market, Aspen, CO
Kala Nyx: Specialty Cheese Buyer, Market of Choice, Inc., Eugene, OR
John Pearson: Category Manager, Giant Eagle Inc., Harmony, PA
Anita Smithwick: Director, Deli/Food Service, Lowes Foods, Winston Salem, NC
Amy Streeter: Sourcing Manager, Dairy, Safeway, Pleasanton, CA
Gary Taylor, Deli Business Manager, United Supermarkets, Dallas TX

The unique trip included a tour of the Raival plant where they manufacture traditional recipe cheeses including Chatelain Brie, Vignotte and Indulgent Triple CrÃ¨me. Additionally, The Retailers experienced a special tour of a wide array of French food retailers including Rungis, the world’s largest fresh produce market; Carrefour, a French hypermarket; along with upscale cheese shops and other gourmet retailers.

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The Cheese Importers Association of America, Inc. is a non-profit trade association formed more than sixty years ago whose membership comprises the vast majority of the firms engaged in the business of importing, selling, promoting, and distributing cheese and cheese products in the U.S. The CIAA endeavors to support dairy trade, within the context of compliance with international trade agreements, and all applicable US regulations.