The SFA Hall of Fame
Honoring long-serving members of the specialty food community for their achievements and impact 
2026 Hall of Fame award winner

Jill Giacomini Basch

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company
2026
Hall of Fame

Jill Giacomini Basch is the co‑founder, co‑CEO, and Chief Marketing Officer of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, which she launched with her family in 2000 on their Marin County, California dairy farm. Today, the company is internationally recognized for its award‑winning, hand‑crafted cheeses, including Original Blue, Bay Blue, Toma, and a broad portfolio of cow’s milk classics that showcase craftsmanship and place. 

A steward of sustainable agriculture, Jill has helped lead the farm’s long‑standing commitment to humane animal welfare, land stewardship, and environmental innovation. These efforts include the installation of a methane digester to reduce the farm’s carbon footprint and earned the Giacomini family the National Leopold Conservation Award. She also oversees The Fork, the company’s educational and agritourism center, which connects chefs, trade partners, and consumers to the story behind the cheese. 

Deeply engaged in industry leadership, Jill has served on numerous boards including the American Cheese Society, California Artisan Cheese Guild, and the Specialty Food Association, where she completed three terms. Her career reflects a lasting impact on artisan cheese, sustainability, and community.