Agri-Mark Honored As 2012 'Business of Distinction' By New York Dairy Of Distinction Organization

CABOT, Vt., Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Agri-Mark, the northeast's premier dairy cooperative, will receive the New York Dairy of Distinction 2012 'Business of Distinction' award at a special ceremony on August 27 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY.

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"We're pleased to announce that Agri-Mark has been named our 2012 'Business of Distinction'," said Nancy Putman, Secretary of Dairy of Distinction's New York chapter. "Agri-Mark and its Cabot and McCadam dairy brands exemplify the very best in the dairy industry. This award is presented to Agri-Mark in recognition for all it has done to support and promote the dairy industry throughout New York State, and across the nation. Many of the members of Dairy of Distinction's New York chapter are members of the Agri-Mark dairy cooperative, and we are thrilled to recognize the good work and deeds they do in support of their communities and the industry at large."

Nancy and her husband Clark are also members of the Agri-Mark Cooperative, and together operate the Putman Farm in Lisbon, NY, where they have 47 milkers and 50 head of young stock. Their children, Aaron (6) and Kaitlyn (5), help feed the calves, and do various chores on the farm.

"Naming Agri-Mark this year's Business of Distinction award winner was a pretty easy call for our Board," Putman explained. "When we looked at all Cabot has done this past year to celebrate cooperatives, community and volunteers through its 2012 Community Tour and Reward Volunteers programs, and all McCadam has done to support the communities they serve throughout the state by donating products and services to non-profits and local organizations, it was an easy decision for our board members," Putman said. "We're happy to recognize Agri-Mark for all it does to promote the dairy industry and support communities throughout the state."

"We're honored to be recognized with this prestigious award," said Neal Rea, Chairman of the Board of Agri-Mark, and a New York state dairy farmer himself.  "We take great pride in everything we do and this award is a fine testament to the hard work and dedication of all our farm-family owners and the employees of Cabot and McCadam."

ABOUT AGRI-MARK
Agri-Mark, with $900 million in 2011 sales, markets more than 300 million gallons of farm fresh milk each year for more than 1,250 dairy farm families in New England and New York. The cooperative is headquartered in Methuen, Mass., has been marketing milk for dairy farmers since 1913, and actively represents their legislative interests in the Northeast and in Washington, D.C.

Agri-Mark farmers own the award-winning Cabot brand of Vermont Cheddar, butter and other dairy products in addition to the McCadam brand of New York Cheddar, Pepper Jack and other cheeses. Cabot has won the award of World's Best Cheddar three times and McCadam recently won the award of America's Best Cheese. Agri-Mark has invested in operations to manufacture and market valuable whey proteins globally while also marketing fresh fluid milk from its local farm families to some of the region's leading dairy processors. For more information about Agri-Mark, visit our web site at: http://www.agrimark.net. 

ABOUT CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE
Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919 and produces a full line of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and butter. Best known as makers of "The World's Best Cheddar," Cabot is the flagship brand of the Agri-Mark dairy cooperative and is owned by 1250 dairy farm families located throughout New England and upstate New York. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, visit http://www.cabotcheese.coop

ABOUT MCCADAM CHEESE
McCadam Cheese has been in continuous operation in the Empire State since its founding by William McCadam in 1876. Today, McCadam Cheese is the New York flagship brand of Agri-Mark, the Northeast's premier, farmer-owned, dairy cooperative. Agri-Mark and its farmers also own the Cabot brand of Vermont dairy products. For more information, visit www.mccadamcheese.com.

Contact: Bob Schiers
(888) 214.9444 or [email protected]

SOURCE Agri-Mark