Dues Rate Schedule and Product Category Definitions

FY 2027 member dues are based on a company’s calendar year 2024 volume/sales data, as well as volume/sales acquired during 2025. Data should include the collective volume/sales of all operations, including: (1) joint ventures and subsidiaries; (2) company brands and private label, whether processed by the company or purchased from others; (3) products sold to retailers, home consumers, foodservice establishments (e.g., institutions, hotels, etc.), brokers, dairy and food companies, etc. If the calculation yields an amount less than $5,515, the minimum dues amount will be $5,515.

Definition of Product Categories

Milk, Cream & Other Fluid Products (packaged or bulk) to include, but not limited to: All milk, flavored milk and milk drinks, protein shakes, cream, half and half, heavy cream, light cream, aerosol whipped creams, eggnog, yogurt drinks and smoothies, cultured and/or acidified milks, kefir, buttermilk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, sweetened condensed milk, ultrafiltered milk, ice cream & frozen dessert mixes; reduced fat, lowfat, nonfat variations; and all of the nondairy counterparts made in semblance of these products.

Yogurt, Cultured Products & Other Refrigerated Products (packaged or bulk) to include, but not limited to: Refrigerated yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, dips, puddings and other related refrigerated dairy desserts; reduced fat, lowfat, nonfat variations; and all of the nondairy counterparts made in semblance of these products. Note: Yogurt drinks, drinkable cultured products, etc., are included in the “Milk, Cream & Other Fluid Products” category.

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (packaged, bulk or novelties) to include, but not limited to: Ice cream; frozen yogurt, gelato, sorbet, sherbet, water ice, frozen custard, quiescently frozen confections, frozen puddings, frozen smoothies, soft serve (frozen); reduced fat, light, lowfat, nonfat variations; whether or not they contain milkfat and/or milk solids; and all of the nondairy counterparts made in semblance of these products.

Cheese (packaged or bulk) to include, but not limited to: All types of cheese, cream cheese, spreads, cheese sauces, cheese products (cheese powders, blends); reduced fat, light, lowfat, nonfat variations; and all of the nondairy counterparts made in semblance of these products.

Dairy-Derived Ingredients: Any wet or dry ingredient, constituent element or component derived from milk, including but not limited to: all types of whey, casein, milk protein concentrate, microfiltered milk, lactose, milkfat (butteroil, plastic cream, anhydrous milkfat), lactoferrin, and various dairy powders including skim milk powder, nonfat dry milk powder and whole milk powder and related products. Secondary Ingredients: Any ingredient listed above derived from cheesemaking are assessed at the Secondary Ingredients rate. Finished Products with Dairy Ingredients, including but not limited to: infant formula (liquid or powder); pediatric formula/drinks (liquid or powder); adult formula/drinks (liquid or powder); specialty medical nutritional products (liquid or powder); meal replacements (liquid or powder); sports drinks.

Butter (packaged or bulk) to include, but not limited to: Butter, butter spreads, including light variations; and all of the nondairy counterparts made in semblance of these products.

Questions should be directed to:

Tom Wojno, COO/Senior Vice President, Innovation and Member Advancement, at (202) 220-3510 or [email protected]
Cindy Cavallo, Senior Director, Membership, at (202) 220-3505 or [email protected]
Both Tom and Cindy can be reached at [email protected]