The Olive Oil & Balsamic Guild of America...Wha...Who?
As many of you already know from first hand experience, there are an increasing number of individuals coming forward who present themselves as experts on the subject of olive oil and in some cases balsamic vinegar. We have received numerous phone calls from customers regarding these individuals. In some cases the "expert" has even reached out or solicited their services on some level. In most cases they tout themselves as a source of unbiased information and or education.
Recently it was brought to our attention that a "marketing group" calling itself the Olive Oil and Vinegar Guild of America opened up shop. We would like to state that this group shares no affiliation with Veronica Foods Company what so ever. The individuals who spearheaded this organization are not sensory evaluation experts, olive oil chemistry experts, or growers. They are individuals who lack industry longevity and even the most fundamental experience. Their names are not remotely recognized even among the vast ocean of self-proclaimed experts in existence.
We happen to know that one of the founding individuals is an owner of an olive store like yours, which was formerly supplied by Veronica Foods. The other individual owns a knock-off olive tasting bar which was never supplied by Veronica Foods but copied the name and band identity of one of our existing store customers. It is our experience that this type of fly-by-night organization is typically run by individuals on the fringe, who roll out of bed one morning and simply decided that they possess expertise. Neither of these stores can be found on Tom Mueller's website as authentic purveyors.
Very few if any of these so called "experts" have working experience in terms of owning a mill, let alone a wholistic world view of olive oil, or access to the cutting edge science and up to date information. Paid consultants and trade organizations typically only support what they stand to be to be compensated for, ignoring truth, science, authenticity, quality, and in general, transparency. This lack of altruism is affront to the forward progress of the olive oil industry. It is at the very root of the overabundance of adulterated and mis-branded olive oils on the supermarket shelf and why Veronica Foods is developing new and verifiable world standards and testing methods.
If you are having difficulty weeding out the charlatans, feel free to give us a call for clarification. We know of a very small handful of trustworthy, world renowned experts that we would recommend for education outside of our group at Veronica Foods should you desire it.
Recently it was brought to our attention that a "marketing group" calling itself the Olive Oil and Vinegar Guild of America opened up shop. We would like to state that this group shares no affiliation with Veronica Foods Company what so ever. The individuals who spearheaded this organization are not sensory evaluation experts, olive oil chemistry experts, or growers. They are individuals who lack industry longevity and even the most fundamental experience. Their names are not remotely recognized even among the vast ocean of self-proclaimed experts in existence.
We happen to know that one of the founding individuals is an owner of an olive store like yours, which was formerly supplied by Veronica Foods. The other individual owns a knock-off olive tasting bar which was never supplied by Veronica Foods but copied the name and band identity of one of our existing store customers. It is our experience that this type of fly-by-night organization is typically run by individuals on the fringe, who roll out of bed one morning and simply decided that they possess expertise. Neither of these stores can be found on Tom Mueller's website as authentic purveyors.
Very few if any of these so called "experts" have working experience in terms of owning a mill, let alone a wholistic world view of olive oil, or access to the cutting edge science and up to date information. Paid consultants and trade organizations typically only support what they stand to be to be compensated for, ignoring truth, science, authenticity, quality, and in general, transparency. This lack of altruism is affront to the forward progress of the olive oil industry. It is at the very root of the overabundance of adulterated and mis-branded olive oils on the supermarket shelf and why Veronica Foods is developing new and verifiable world standards and testing methods.
If you are having difficulty weeding out the charlatans, feel free to give us a call for clarification. We know of a very small handful of trustworthy, world renowned experts that we would recommend for education outside of our group at Veronica Foods should you desire it.
