A cheese society spread across four countries
The Guilde Internationale des Fromagers honors people who make, age, sell and promote fine cheese. Its New World Chapter spans Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States, so members rarely share a room. Their app keeps news, events and the member list together on one screen. The chapter built the app with AppPresser's app builder.
A tradition that began in France
Pierre Androuët, a renowned French cheesemonger and author, founded the Guilde in 1969 to pass on knowledge through the companionship of cheese. A companion order, the Confrérie de Saint Uguzon, welcomes chefs, food writers and other experts and takes its name from the patron saint of cheesemakers. The New World Chapter was inaugurated in San Francisco in 2012. Membership comes only through nomination and board approval, and inductees receive ceremonial ranks, robes and medallions.
A promise kept
The chapter told members an app for Android and Apple devices was coming, and it arrived in June 2024, built by the chapter on AppPresser.
What members open it for
- The directory. According to the chapter, this is what inductees value most. It keeps professionals connected after the ceremony and works as a guide to who is who in artisan cheese.
- News. Stories announce inductions, name the honorees and celebrate member achievements. Cheese Focus pieces profile shops and businesses tied to the guild, and the news list is searchable.
- Events. Upcoming inductions and gatherings feed in from the chapter calendar.
- Home. The chapter crest, a group photo and the latest news greet members on launch.
- Background. History, a diversity, equity and inclusion statement, application forms and contact details.
Members and future members
Cheesemakers, affineurs, cheesemongers, importers, distributors, retailers and buyers all use it, as do the chefs, writers and food scientists of the Confrérie tradition, and people hoping for a nomination.
The WordPress side
The site runs Beaver Builder and PowerPack, The Events Calendar with Events Calendar Pro, Ultimate Member, Smart Slider 3 Pro and GTranslate. Events, news and profiles live there, and AppPresser brings them to the app.
Lessons for associations
A directory and timely news are often the benefits members value most. Delivering both from an existing member site avoids running a second system.
Running an association or society?
Learn how AppPresser works, or get in touch about a member app.
