The Penn State Dairy Science Club’s annual Holiday Cheesebox sale is a tradition that is looked forward to every year. The 31st annual cheesebox sale was held this year and the fundraiser continues to grow.

Starting in the last week of November, Dairy Science Club members can be found cutting cheese into blocks and vacuum sealing them for delivery. In the first week of December, members pack this cheese, along with other goodies, into boxes and ship them all around the country.

The Berkey Creamery produces the cheese that is used and is very helpful in the entire process. The club cuts the cheese, packages and ships the boxes right from the Creamery. Blocks of Muenster and Cheddar cheese are included in the boxes, along with cheese spreads, a stick of Lebanon bologna and assorted holiday candy.

After packing is complete, the boxes are loaded on to pallets and either shipped by mail or available for pick up at the Berkey Creamery. Additionally, an annual Penn State milk bottle may also be purchased and added into the box. This is a fundraiser for the Penn State Dairymen’s Club , an alumni group to the Dairy Science Club.

(This year's milk bottle features a scene from THON , a dance marathon held annually at Penn State to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Click here to see previous milk bottle designs and to find out how you can purchase your own piece of Penn State history.)

The Holiday Cheesebox sale was run successfully this year by co-chairs, Philip Bachman and Laraya Foresman. Philip states that helping with the cheesebox sale is “a great way for our members to get involved in the club and meet fellow dairy science students.”

The proceeds of this fundraiser will allow the club members to plan their annual spring trip, which is taken during spring break.

This year the students have decided to go to Costa Rica to see that country's dairy industry and to enjoy some warm weather. Because of the holiday cheese sale and other fundraisers, the club is able to financially support the trip and make it more affordable for members.

Keep the Penn State Holiday Cheesebox sale in mind for next year to support the Dairy Science Club and to give a great gift. Please visit www.das.psu.edu/cheesebox to place your order next November. The 2011 co-chairs, Hannah Wentworth and Steve Bond, will be happy to hear from you! PD

—Information and photos provided by Lindsey Beatty, a member of the Penn State Dairy Science Club