Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy John Wm. Macy's products?
Our products are sold in gourmet and specialty food stores and some supermarket chains, but it is a challenge keeping our database current. Enter your address or ZIP/postal code on ourWhere to Buy page to find a retailer near you. If we need to add a retailer that is not listed or remove one that is listed in error, please let us know so we can update the listing.
My Costco no longer has your 22 oz. CheeseCrisps. Where can I get more?
You can order from this site. Costco buys regionally and they rotate our products with others, so we can’t predict when they will carry our CheeseCrisps.
Is breakage a problem?
Our products are fragile. The lamination of sourdough and aged cheese that gives our products their distinctive texture and great taste also makes them vulnerable to rough handling in transit or by stock personnel. We take great care during the manufacturing process, but once they leave our plant it's hard to control their handling. Regrettably, some breakage is is to be expected. If you think it is excessive, please contact us and we'll send a refund or a replacement.
What is the shelf life of your products?
Our CheeseSticks and CheeseCrisps are dated for a 26-week shelf life from the production date and our Grilled Crostini Toasts are dated for a one-year shelf life. We don't add artificial preservatives or stabilizers, so our products are at their best during the early months of their shelf lives. Once opened, they should be consumed or saved in tightly sealed storage containers to preserve freshness. You may freeze our products without harming them.
My retailer does not sell my favorite product. What can I do?
Most retailers carry a limited selection of our products. In some instances, they may just be temporarily out of stock. If they don't have the item you are looking for, please ask if they will carry it. If not, you can buy directly through this website.
Do you supply your products to other brands?
We manufacture under private label for several brands, but our agreements with them are confidential. There also may be imitators out there, but we don't think anyone makes CheeseSticks or CheeseCrisps quite like we do. If the product you've found looks and tastes like ours, we probably made it.
Do you use nuts in your products or in your plant?
We do not use any nuts, nut oils or nut byproducts in our products and there are no nut-based products present in our manufacturing facility.
Are you subject to outside inspections or independent audits of your food safety and quality control?
We are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration and the New Jersey Department of Health. We are subject to unannounced inspections at any time. In addition, our quality control and food safety systems are independently audited each year and certified to be in compliance with SQF 2000 Level III food quality and safety standards. SQF ("Safe Quality Food") is one of several food safety and quality control standards which meet the requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative.
Did your manufacturing business really start in John Macy's New York apartment?
Absolutely! John worked a "day" job and baked at night, perfecting his recipe. When he thought it was ready he took the leap and started offering it to stores around New York City. The big break came in 1986 when Balducci's, then a leading New York City specialty food store, submitted its first order. The rest is history!
Does the cheese in your products contain animal-based enzymes?
Most of the cheese used in our products is made with microbial (non-animal-sourced) rennet. However, the Asiago cheese we use also contains lipase, an animal-based enzyme used to enhance flavor. Because sources of supply change from time to time, we cannot assure that this is the only exception.
Do your products contain added sugar?
Yes. However, the level of sugar in our CheeseSticks and CheeseCrisps is laboratory tested at less than a gram of added sugar per serving. Cane sugar is used as a catalyst in the fermentation processing which produces the sourdough base for our products. The fermentation process consumes most of the sugar.
I have a discount coupon code. How do I enter the coupon to get my savings?
Enter your discount coupon or promotional code in the small box in the upper right corner of the checkout screen. Be sure to click the "apply" button to validate the coupon and update your order. After that, you can complete checkout.
Do I need to log in before submitting an online order?
No. You can check out as a "guest" without establishing a user account, but you will not be able to take advantage of the savings offered by our "Crispy Club" rewards program. Creating an account is simple. Click on the "Account" link in the website header. Click the "Sign Up" link on that page to create your account with your email address and a password you wish to use for future access to the site.
I cannot remember my username or password. How can I log in to place an order?
Your username is the email address you previously used to log in to the account. If you have forgotten your password, you can easily reset it by clicking on the "Account" link in the website header and, without filling in the login boxes, clicking on the "Forgot Password" link.