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Lavender Lemon Butter Cookie by Kent Precision Foods Group Wins Most Innovative Ice Cream Flavor; Brownie Batter Cookie Dough by Hudsonville Ice Cream Takes Home Honor of Most Innovative Ice Cream Novelty FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 2, 2025—Welcome to the ultimate flavor face-off! America’s top new and prototype ice cream flavors and novelty products competed […]

In a hearing before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee today, lawmakers, nutrition experts, and school officials emphasized the need to restore whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk to federal school meal programs. The focus of the hearing was the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow schools to offer these milk options to the more than 30 million students who rely on school breakfast and lunch every day.

A new dairy incentive program aimed at encouraging healthy behavior among people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is gaining bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 seeks to address that 90% of Americans do not consume enough milk and other nutritious dairy products according to federal dietary guidelines. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and U.S. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.), would provide SNAP participants with a dollar-for-dollar match for the purchase of milk, cheese, yogurt and cultured dairy products.

On behalf our nation’s dairy supply chain, IDFA congratulates Dr. Makary on his confirmation as FDA Commissioner. We look forward to working with Dr. Makary to advance the health and well-being of Americans by encouraging greater consumption of fresh, wholesome, and nutritious dairy foods.

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2025 – IDFA provided comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding the proposed action in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2025 – IDFA provided comments to the California Air Resources Board regarding the implementation process for the state’s climate related disclosure laws.

IDFA Supports Administration’s Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Shipbuilding, Urges USTR to Reconsider Proposal WASHINGTON, March 24, 2025—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today submitted formal comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) urging the agency to reconsider its proposed actions to curb China’s dominance in global shipbuilding and boost shipbuilding in the […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: U.S. Dollar Weakens; Consumer Food Purchasing Changes; and the Job Market in a Minute! Quick Bites: […]

Washington, February 11, 2025 – IDFA provided comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding unfair trade practices and initiative all necessary actions to investigate harm from non-reciprocal trade arrangements.

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2025—Becky Rasdall Vargas, senior vice president of trade and workforce policy at the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement in response to President Trump’s suggestion that the United States may place a reciprocal tariff on Canadian dairy products: “It is accurate that Canada imposes a tariff of approximately 250% […]

March marks the start of Women’s History Month! Celebrated annually, it is a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women throughout history. It highlights the progress made toward gender equality while recognizing the challenges that remain. Gender Equality in Dairy: Where We Are Today and Recommendations for Continued Growth In 2024, IDFA […]

Washington, February 11, 2025 – IDFA provided comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service related to food date labeling.

A coalition of consumer, industry and public health stakeholder groups with a vested interest in the Food and Drug Administration’s work on food safety, nutrition and chronic disease urged U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not to cut additional resources and staffing for the agency’s Human Foods Program critical to […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Milk Production Update; Increasing Fluid Milk Sales; and Consumer Sentiment in a Minute! Quick Bites: Fluid […]

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2025—The United States levied new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China last night, prompting China and Canada to announce new tariffs on U.S. exports including dairy products. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) released the following statement in response to the tariffs: “The U.S. dairy industry urges the Trump Administration […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2025—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative: “On behalf our nation’s dairy supply chain, IDFA congratulates Ambassador Greer on his confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative. The U.S. dairy industry […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2025—Leaders from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) released the following statements today in response to the Trump Administration’s updated response plan for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPA) that is affecting our nation’s dairy herds. IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., said the following: […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2025—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today following the introduction of the Protecting Mothers and Infants’ Access to Milk Act, which will return the maximum monthly allowance of milk available for families, utilizing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2025—In response to a reduction in workforce at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a coalition of consumer, industry, and public health stakeholder groups issues the following statement: “Ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply is a shared responsibility,” the coalition stated. “Food companies are committed to producing safe products. […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Food Inflation; Sports Nutrition Category Growth; and Milkfats in a Minute! Quick Bites: There’s Power in […]

About Casper’s Ice Cream, Inc. With 100 years of experience in the ice cream business, Casper’s Ice Cream, Inc. manufactures and sells a wide range of tasty frozen treats under its brands: FatBoy Premium Ice Cream, known nationwide for its ice cream sandwiches rich in flavor and indulgence, and Jolly Llama, a better-for-you option for […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2025—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): “IDFA congratulates Ms. Rollins on her confirmation to lead USDA as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. We’re confident […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2025—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): “On behalf our nation’s dairy supply chain, IDFA congratulates Mr. Kennedy on his […]

Washington, February 11, 2025 – IDFA provided comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) related to the recommendations included in the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (DGAC) Scientific Report.

Washington, January 21, 2025 – IDFA provided comments the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the proposed framework for systematic review of food chemicals.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2025—U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce today passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in 2025—a bill that would allow for whole (3.25%) and reduced-fat (2%) milk to once again be served in school cafeterias—by a vote of 24-10. Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2025—The U.S. dairy industry is poised to establish a new “golden age” of U.S. dairy trade, with exports reaching $8.2 billion in 2024—the second-highest total export value ever and a $223 million year-over-year increase, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Mexico and Canada—U.S. dairy’s top two global […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Private Label Performance; USDA Cattle Report Updates; and Super Bowl Spending in a Minute! Quick Bites: […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2025—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s unanimous approval of the nomination of Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): “IDFA congratulates Ms. Rollins on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s strong, bipartisan approval of […]

About Haelen US At Haelen US, they’re bringing a game-changing innovation to dairy. Guided by their mission to enhance the accessibility, functionality and health benefits of dairy products through cutting-edge technology, Haelen US is transforming industry with its patented processing method, Haelen®.   The Technology That Transforms Dairy Haelen® Technology is a breakthrough in fluid […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2025—U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on imports from China, each with varying implementation dates. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) released the following statement in response to the tariffs: “The U.S. dairy industry is watching closely as the President and his Administration […]

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 29, 2025—The IDFA Foundation and more than a dozen leading U.S. dairy companies and food retailers teamed up today to deliver 3.5 truckloads of nutritious milk and dairy products and donate nearly $40,000 to the San Antonio Food Bank to address hunger in Southwest Texas. The donations were announced at the 2025 […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized the extraordinary leadership of Mike Durkin, recently retired President and CEO of Leprino Foods Company, and Tim Galloway, retired CEO and current Chairman of Galloway Company, with the IDFA Laureate Award during the association’s annual Dairy Forum. Now in its sixth year, the IDFA Laureate Award is given to leaders in the dairy industry who have made significant, prolonged contributions to the development and growth of dairy. Candidates from across the dairy industry as well as suppliers and academics are eligible, and the awardee is chosen by a panel of industry professionals.

Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham, Texas was recognized today with the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2025 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum. The award, now in its ninth year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry.

The live stream is available to everyone, but you need to have an account and be logged in to view it. President’s Breakfast View the PowerPoint Dairy Forum 2025San Antonio, Tex.January 27, 2025 REMARKS AS DELIVERED Michael Dykes, President and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association: Welcome to Dairy Forum. Everybody having fun? Everybody feeling limitless? […]

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 27, 2025— Saputo USA was recognized today with the second annual IDFA Workplace of the Year Award at IDFA’s Dairy Forum in San Antonio, Texas. The award, co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Processing magazine, is given each year to an outstanding IDFA member company that has created policies to promote a positive […]

Grotegut Dairy Farm of Newton, Wisc. was recognized today as the 2025 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year at the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Forum. The award is presented each year by IDFA and Dairy Herd Management magazine. As detailed by Dairy Herd Management in its feature story on the award-winning farm, Grotegut Dairy is a cutting-edge operation with an impressive herd of 3,500 milking cows and a host of contemporary solutions that put the farm ahead of its time.

By Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA Senior Vice President of Trade and Workforce Policy IDFA’s second-ever State of Women in Dairy Report provides IDFA members and the dairy industry with new data-based metrics and recommendations to support gender equality across the entire supply chain. But first, some background: IDFA’s first-ever State of Women in Dairy Report […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced new members of the organization’s Executive Council as well as new directors for the group’s five Industry Segment Boards. Daragh Maccabee, CEO of Idaho Milk Products, was selected to chair the IDFA Executive Council. Joe Diglio, president and CEO of Michigan Milk Producers Association was selected to be vice chair of the IDFA Executive Council.

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: GLP-1 Medications and Food Spending; Increases in Buy Now, Pay Later; and Grains in a Minute! […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative announced the reappointment of Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), and Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA senior vice president of trade and workforce policy, to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) for Trade and the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Processed Foods, respectively.

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Holiday Retail Trends; Butter and Cheese Spending on the Rise; and U.S. Milk Powders in a […]

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Penn.) and Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-Minn.) expressed support for the new Congress passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in 2025 during remarks this weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Chairman Thompson is the lead sponsor of the bill, which Ranking Member Craig has cosponsored. The legislation would reinstate whole and 2% milk in federal school meals programs. Congressman Thompson is also a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, which oversees child nutrition programs in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With this rule, FDA missed an important opportunity to help shoppers at all income levels choose healthier food options for their families. Instead, the rule is so narrow that few foods, including many nutrient dense dairy products, will be able to bear the claim.

IDFA congratulates Rep. Craig on her election to serve as the next Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. Since joining Congress, Rep. Craig has been a strong champion for policies that benefit America’s dairy processors and farmers, including her leadership on expanding export opportunities, strengthening federal nutrition programs to include nutritious dairy, and supporting innovation within the dairy sector.

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Per Capita Dairy Consumption Data; Rising Shipping Rates; and a New Year Outlook in a Minute! […]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2024—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized 23 dairy business operations for their outstanding achievements and improvements in worker safety in 2023 with the IDFA Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Award. This is the 21st year that IDFA has sponsored this program, highlighting the outstanding workplace safety achievements of U.S. dairy companies. […]

Today, 20 leading dietitians, physicians and public health experts that comprise the federal DGAC confirmed dairy products should continue to maintain a central, important role in federal nutrition recommendations for people beginning at a very early age and that most Americans should consume three servings of dairy per day. The committee, which evaluates the latest findings and overall bodies of evidence in nutrition science, found strong evidence pointing to positive health outcomes from dairy foods. In fact, the committee includes dairy as a core category in the recommended ‘Eat Healthy Your Way’ dietary pattern alongside fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2024—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is sharing a comprehensive set of federal policy priorities today with President-Elect Trump’s transition team. IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., said IDFA and its more than 300 members are looking to the new administration to help U.S. dairy drive innovation, reduce barriers to business […]

WASHINGTON, December 4, 2024— The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized six distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to food, nutrition, agricultural policymaking and ongoing support of the dairy industry. During IDFA’s annual Celebration of Dairy, held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., presented the […]

New USDA Report shows per-capita consumption of butter and cheese at record highs as total dairy consumption matches historical high

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Thanksgiving Holiday Food Costs; Pizza Chains and Cheese Consumption; and Milk Output in a Minute! Quick […]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2024—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today on the nominations of Brooke Rollins and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), respectively. “For generations, […]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2024—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently awarded a grant to Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) to significantly expand the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Projects (HFMI) to more than 1,150 retail stores in 32 states since the program began in 2020. HFMI pilot projects provide SNAP beneficiaries with a dollar-for-dollar match when […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Bumper Crops and Export Competition Likely To Keep Lid on Grain Prices; Holiday Promotions Ramping Up; […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Ever.Ag. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. The Dairy Bar: Update on Energy Prices; Combo Deals Enticing Consumers; and Butter Markets in a Minute! Quick Bites: Combo […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) this week announced the launch of the Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) program, allocating $15 million to expand access to organic dairy products in educational institutions and youth programs.

Ahead of the final public meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is raising concerns about the need for additional transparency and accountability in the DGAC process. In formal comments submitted to the Committee, IDFA urged the DGAC to prioritize the science and ensure open disclosure of the research that informs its recommendations. IDFA called for improvements in the identification of studies considered by the DGAC and the materials presented at public meetings, which should be done alongside the release of draft scientific conclusions for public review and comment.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2024—The United States exports approximately $8 billion in dairy products to 145 countries around the world every year, which amounts to approximately one day’s worth of U.S. milk production each week. In fact, recent estimates indicate that the U.S. now exports more dairy on a fluid milk basis than we consume. These […]

Washington, October 17, 2024 – IDFA provided comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding foreign trade barriers to U.S. exports to Canada, Colombia, the European Union, India, and Indonesia for 2025 reporting.