Swiss Valley Farms, a dairy cooperative based in Davenport, Iowa, has been selected to receive the Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year award given by Dairy Foods and sponsored by the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

The reasons Swiss Valley Farms is being honored include:
• Growth in export sales. The dairy cooperative is doing business with Canada, Mexico and nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
• Investment in people and equipment. Personnel investments include a dedicated Export Division and a Quality and Customer Service department to handle export documentation. Capital investment includes new packaging equipment to provide greater protection of products against contamination and to prolong shelf-life.
• Support of the goals of the United States Dairy Export Council.
• A long history of making high-quality and award-winning cheeses, whey and dairy ingredients.

Dairy Foods will present the award on Oct. 13 during the board of directors and annual membership meeting of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. An article about Swiss Valley Farms will be published in the November issue.

Previous recipients of the Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year award are:

• California Dairies Inc. (2015)
• Dairy Farmers of America (2014)
• Agri-Mark (2013)
• Glanbia (2012)
• Leprino Foods (2011)
• United Dairymen of Arizona (2010)
• Hilmar Cheese (2009)
• Schreiber Foods (2008)
• Darigold (2007)
• Davisco Foods (2006)