Cathy Strange

Cathy Strange joined Whole Foods Market in 1990 and has a wealth of food industry experience and expertise. She worked her way up to become the global cheese buyer and is a recognized authority at detecting international food trends during her travels around the world while seeking out partners that meet Whole Foods Market’s strict Quality Standards.  Cathy works diligently with the small producers to help them sustain a profitable business.  She was the Vice President overseeing Specialty Foods and Adult Beverage for years and recently took the role of WFM Ambassador of Food Culture.

Cathy is a member of the American Cheese Society, the Oldways Cheese Coalition, the Cheese Importers Association, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, Slow Foods USA, and Les Dames d’Escoffier where she is past President of the Austin Chapter. Her palate and expertise have been solicited all over the world to serve as judge for the World Cheese Championship Contest, the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, the World Cheese Awards, the American Cheese Society competition and the British Cheese Awards.

Cathy serves as President and ambassador for the distinguished international Guilde des Fromagers de Saint-Uguzon chapter representing the United States/Australia/Canada/Mexico, the most celebrated association of cheese mongers and specialists in France. Cathy has been awarded the French Order of Agricultural Merit and is the only American and non-Italian to every receive the “Coletllino d’oro” from the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano.  In 2015, she was honored by the American Cheese Society with the Lifetime Service Award.

She has been an independent voting member of the Oldways Board since August, 2012.