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According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today, U.S. dairy exports to the world totaled $9.5 billion last year, topping the 2021 dairy export value record by 25% and representing an 85% increase in just the past 10 years. Moreover, U.S. dairy exports logged 2.82 million metric tons of volume in 2022, another record and a 52% increase over the past 10 years.

The National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association today expressed optimism for USDA’s proposed updates to school meal nutrition standards, specifically USDA’s plans to maintain low-fat flavored milk for students. NMPF and IDFA continued to call on USDA officials to expand milk and dairy options in schools to ensure children have access to the nutrients they need each day, consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

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: Rising Interest Rates Mean Less Spending, Freight Market Prices Drop, and Dairy Stocks and Production in […]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2023—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today endorsed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s establishment of a second formal dispute settlement case over Canada’s manipulation of dairy tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The announcement follows a third round of consultations with Canada that added new legal claims against its […]

On behalf of the dairy processing industry, IDFA is grateful to Commissioner Califf for proposing a Vision for a Reimagined FDA Human Foods Program, released earlier today. The proposed Vision is thoughtful and seeks to consider the many years of feedback from industry stakeholders, including IDFA, as well as the recommendations made late last year by the Reagan-Udall Foundation, to ensure FDA is prioritizing the “F” in FDA and putting first the safety of food for consumers and the concerns of food makers in being able to innovate to meet consumer’s needs. We strongly encourage the FDA to continue to seek and accept feedback from key stakeholders as they advance the process to implement the proposed changes in the Vision. FDA must prioritize collaboration, transparency, and accountability throughout the process to improve the Human Foods Program.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today named Mike Aquino as director, ESG (environment, social and governance (ESG)). Aquino was trained as a food scientist at Drexel University and has since held several professional positions in the food and agriculture space, including with Danone’s research and development pilot facility in White Plains, N.Y., and on the Global Sustainability Team at General Mills addressing corporate citizenship issues such as Scope 3 emissions reduction planning and animal welfare. At IDFA, Aquino will help to manage the trade association’s work in sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ESG policy and programming within the U.S. dairy supply chain. He will join the IDFA Regulatory Affairs team on Monday, Jan. 30, reporting to Danielle Quist, vice president and counsel, in collaboration with the Public Affairs and Communications team under Matt Herrick.

Bar 20 Dairy of Kerman, Calif., was recognized today as the 2023 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. Bar 20 Dairy, owned by third-generation dairy farmer Steve Shehadey along with seven other family members, is a 7,000-cow dairy that also farms 5,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley.

The food safety team from Schreiber Foods, Inc. received the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2023 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum today. Staci Richardson, vice president of enterprise quality and food safety at Schreiber Foods, Inc., accepted the award on behalf of her team members. The award, now in its seventh year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry.

You do not have permission to view this item View the PowerPoint International Dairy Foods AssociationOrlando, FLJanuary 23, 2023 REMARKS AS DELIVERED Michael Dykes, President and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association: Isn’t it great to be in Florida in January? You loving the weather? It’s a little bit better than in America’s Dairyland today, I’d […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized the remarkable leadership of Jim Sartori, chairman and former CEO of Sartori Company, and Larry Webster, former CEO of Upstate Niagara Cooperative, by honoring each with the IDFA Laureate Award during the association’s annual Dairy Forum. Now in its fourth year, the IDFA Laureate Award is given to a leader in the dairy industry who has 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.

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. Patricia D. Stroup, senior vice president and chief procurement officer of Nestle S.A., and CEO of Nestrade S.A., was selected to chair the IDFA Executive Council. Mike Durkin, president and CEO of Leprino Foods Company 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: U.S. Job Market Beginning to Cool, UN Food Price Index Hits New High, and U.S. Dairy […]

Brown, former Director of Dairy Supply Chain for The Kroger Co., will lead on Dairy Policy and Economics as IDFA expands its expertise WASHINGTON, January 17, 2023—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today named Mike Brown as chief economist. Brown has had a long and distinguished career in the dairy industry, most recently leading 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: Dollar and Discount Stores Continue to Expand, Strong Consumer Spending and Exports Boost Economy, and China […]

IDFA is elated by the confirmation of Alexis Taylor for Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA. Ms. Taylor’s depth of experience in trade issues in previous senior roles at the Department and recently with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, along with her longstanding commitment to advancing agricultural policy and U.S. exports, make her an ideal fit for the position. She has been a strong supporter of the U.S. dairy industry and we are confident that Ms. Taylor will continue to advance market opportunities for U.S. dairy around the world.

On the heels of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal to cut WIC benefits for milk and dairy purchases, new polling of 534 WIC participants shows that 20% of WIC participants would choose not to re-enroll in the program should USDA follow through with the cuts to milk and dairy benefits in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). IDFA shared the survey results earlier today in a meeting with USDA officials.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) reacted positively to the announcement by the Office of the U.S Trade Representative that the Biden Administration will seek a third round of consultations with Canada over its dairy tariff rate quota (TRQ) administration under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The announcement follows consultations that were announced in May 2022 and held over the summer after Canada had implemented new TRQ policies in April. This third set of consultations adds new legal claims against Canada’s TRQ administration that are consistent with IDFA’s priority concerns with Canada’s failure to comply with its USMCA TRQ commitments.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has recognized six individuals whose work in legislation and policy on trade and transportation and food and agricultural policy has helped to advance the economic impact of U.S. dairy manufacturing. At the annual Celebration of Dairy event held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., recognized Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Senator John Thune of South Dakota, Congressman John Garamendi of California, Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Mr. Daniel Maffei, and Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Mr. Frank Yiannas of the Food and Drug Administration, with the IDFA Leadership Award.

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: Post-Thanksgiving Online Shopping Hit Record High; Inflation Hikes Global Food Import Prices; and Global Milk Production […]

IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., and IDFA member leaders this morning detailed the urgent business needs facing the dairy processing industry due a chronic shortage of workers on dairy farms, in manufacturing facilities, and throughout the dairy supply chain. Dykes, David Ahlem, Chair of the IDFA Executive Council and CEO & President of Hilmar Cheese Company (Hilmar, Calif.), and Heather Draper, Director on the IDFA Ice Cream Segment Board and Director of The Ice Cream Club (Boynton Beach, Fla.) called on members of Congress to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bill that would streamline and improve the H-2A guestworker visa program—as a means to help alleviate labor shortages on the dairy industry and other food sectors.

“Today’s Reagan-Udall Foundation review of the FDA Human Foods Program only underscores the importance of reforming the FDA to streamline their regulatory activities, increase transparency, better respond to shifting consumer demands and trends, and put in place a management and organizational structure that can drive internal alignment, decision-making, and action, as well as being accountable to lawmakers and taxpayers.

As Congress considers immigration legislation during the lame duck session, new polling shows that four-in-five U.S. voters (82%) support Republicans and Democrats in Congress working together to lower food prices through comprehensive immigration reform.

On behalf of companies throughout the U.S. dairy industry, the International Dairy Foods Association supports President Biden’s request of Congress to step in and negotiate an agreement between rail carriers and their employees that protects our nation’s food and economic security. A rail strike would devastate our nation’s dairy industry, which employs more than 3.3 million Americans and relies on rail carriers to move nutritious, wholesome, and perishable dairy products to destinations throughout the country and to ports for export around the world. Congress must act without delay to keep our nation’s food supply chain intact.

ARLINGTON, Va. and WASHINGTON—Representing dairy farmers, cooperatives, and processors, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) issued the following joint statement in response to USDA’s proposed changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) released today: “It is unfortunate for WIC participants that the proposed […]

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: High Interest Rates Cool Off Housing Market; Restaurant Sales Up Amid Grocery Prices Hike; and the […]

Is there really a butter shortage? While some news reports may suggest otherwise, the answer is no—there is not a butter shortage. While there isn’t a shortage, the U.S. is experiencing tight stocks, prices that remain elevated, slightly lower production than we had last year, and higher exports of butter. Competition for butter is high, […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and Ever.Ag are excited to announce that registration for the second annual DairyTech conference opens today. Dairy business and technology executives from around the world will convene at the second annual DairyTech conference in Minneapolis, Minn., next year to forge new relationships and explore the technological trends that will shape the future of the food and beverage sector. The two-day conference will present a mix of keynotes, panel discussions, networking sessions, and evening receptions for senior executives and experts in technology, innovation, data, and cybersecurity.

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. Grain Markets Remain Strong; Inflation Hitting Grocery Prices; and Passport to South America Quick Bites: Buying […]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2022—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has submitted comprehensive comments to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in response to the agency’s rulemaking to implement portions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA or Public Law 116-146), which IDFA strongly supported. President Biden signed OSRA into law on June 16, 2022, after strong […]

In a strong show of support for healthy nutrition incentive programs, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a significant expansion of the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Projects (HFMIP), a pilot program that provides a dollar-for-dollar match to participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) when they purchase healthy fluid milk options at qualifying food retail outlets. USDA awarded $3 million in new funding to Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) to bring the program to SNAP beneficiaries in an additional four states and 116 retail outlets, including those on federal Indian Reservations, urban and rural areas and numerous locations in economically distressed communities.

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: Brick and Mortar Stores on the Rise; Inflation and Slow Sales Hitting Global Exports; and Per […]

WASHINGTON, October 11, 2022—Joseph Scimeca, PhD, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), submitted formal comments to the Reagan-Udall Foundation Independent Expert Panel on Food charged with evaluating the structure, leadership, authorities, resources and culture of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) human foods program. IDFA’s […]

Nine-in-ten voters with children in public schools say making sure school meals are healthy and nutritious for children in their community is a priority, according to a new Morning Consult national tracking poll commissioned by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). Ninety-two percent of these parents also indicated that they believe providing milk in school meals is important to a child’s daily nutritional intake, while approximately 8-in-10 parents supported including low-fat flavored milk in public school meals. IDFA shares this information at the start of National School Lunch Week to remind policymakers of dairy’s essential place in school meals.

American consumers snapped up their favorite dairy products at a record rate in 2021, according to new data from the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS). The data released today shows per capita consumption of dairy grew by 12.4 pounds per person over the previous year, continuing a near 50-year growth trend that started in 1975 when USDA began tracking annual consumption of milk, cheese, butter and everything else in the dairy case. The average American consumed 667 pounds of dairy on a milkfat basis in 2021 versus 539 pounds in 1975 when data was first established. Among the products showing strong growth are American-type cheese, up 0.5 pounds, butter up 0.2 pounds, and yogurt adding 0.7 pounds. Yogurt consumption grew at its strongest rate in a decade and American-type cheese consumption was the second biggest increase over the past 20 years.

Today, according to the federal 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), more than 90% of Americans do not consume enough dairy to meet daily nutritional requirements. Therefore, IDFA believes it is essential that the voluntary, proposed rule released today by the FDA must clearly establish criteria for dairy products that encourage the consumption of dairy foods while also helping consumers select the options that meet their health, taste, and lifestyle needs. While the proposed rule takes some positive steps toward encouraging consumption of dairy products to help Americans meet the recommendations of the 2020-2025 DGAs, it falls short in many other important areas by limiting how dairy labels communicate the full nutritional benefits of dairy to consumers.

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Blimling and Associates, Inc., a dairy research and consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. 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 Sales Hampered […]

As representatives of growers, manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants in the food industry, we fully support the goals of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health to improve national nutrition-related health outcomes and increase food access for underserved communities. As food security and nutrition-centric health empowerment are perennial challenges for the country, the food […]

About SiccaDania: “We are young at heart but have many years of experience within our field” In 2014, a group of engineers with vast experience in the drying and evaporating industries established SiccaDania, a company that focuses on creating the solutions our customers want. From the humble beginning with no more than 10 people, we can now […]

Thirty emerging leaders in the dairy industry met in Washington, D.C., this month for IDFA’s NextGen Leadership Program Washington Seminar. The emerging leaders—NextGen’s Cohort 4—spent three days in the nation’s capital advocating for dairy industry priorities, exploring leadership best practices at Mount Vernon, and networking with their peers. The trip marked the first meeting of […]

When Given an Incentive to Encourage Healthy Eating, Most SNAP Participants Would Purchase More Milk, Yogurt and Cheese WASHINGTON, September 23, 2022—As the White House spurs a national conversation with its Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health next week, participants of federal nutrition programs are making their voices heard in a new Morning Consult national […]

In mid-September, a federal district court in California issued a decision ordering USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service to modify food manufacturers’ disclosure options available under the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Act Standard (BE Rule). The court’s ruling requires USDA to modify the “digital or electronic link” (QR Code) disclosure option to make it more accessible to […]

WASHINGTON, September 14, 2022—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture on its investments in funding for schools and food banks: “On behalf of America’s dairy processing industry, IDFA applauds USDA’s substantial support for schools and food banks to […]

On behalf of America’s dairy processing industry, IDFA applauds the historic investments announced today by USDA in climate smart food and agricultural practices, including dairy production. Approximately $700 million of the more than $3 billion committed today by USDA to voluntary, incentive-based efforts will support climate and conservation projects in dairy and dairy-related businesses, catapulting the United States into a position of global leadership in climate-smart food and agricultural production.

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Blimling and Associates, Inc., a dairy research and consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. U.S. Dollar Gaining Value Despite Inflation; […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Blimling and Associates, Inc., a dairy research and consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. The Dairy Bar features spotlight data, key policy updates, and a one-minute video that covers timely topics for the dairy industry. La Niña Affecting Trade and Crop […]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, 2022—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today on the report released yesterday by the Task Force Informing the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. “The report released yesterday by the Task Force on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health contains many […]

As nearly 50 million children return to public school, a group of dairy and nutrition advocates is encouraging parents and policymakers to prioritize the health of students by making milk and dairy options more accessible in the coming school year. A fact sheet released today by the group highlights that milk is the top source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in kids ages 2-18. However, according to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, American children over four years old and adolescents are not consuming enough dairy to meet the recommendations in the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), thereby under consuming a variety of nutrients they need to grow. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and the School Nutrition Association (SNA) look forward to working with parents and school nutritionists to increase consumption of dairy in keeping with recommendations from the 2020-2025 DGA report and leading health organizations. Moreover, because of falling participation rates in school breakfast and lunch programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and removal of universal free meals in the upcoming school year, there are growing concerns for nutrition security among students.

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Blimling and Associates, Inc., a dairy research and consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. 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: Warehousing Demand on […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognizes 37 dairy companies for their outstanding achievements in worker safety in 2021 with the IDFA Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Award. This is the nineteenth year that IDFA has sponsored this program, highlighting the outstanding workplace safety achievements of U.S. dairy companies.

Quick Bites: Delivery Woes Elevated prices and recessionary fears are not only impacting consumers, but the companies that feed them, too. During the second quarter of 2022, the total number of orders placed with food delivery companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats rose 11% over prior-year levels, the slowest quarterly expansion since the beginning of […]

Nominations now open for IDFA Laureate, Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year, and Food Safety Leadership WASHINGTON, August 2, 2022—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for three top awards presented annually to leaders in the dairy industry. Nominations open today and will close on Friday, Oct. 28. Winners will be announced and […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced that 30 emerging leaders of the dairy industry have been accepted into the fourth class of the NextGen Leadership Program, a signature program of IDFA’s People Strategy. This incredible group of emerging leaders was selected based on their experience and scope of responsibility within their organizations. They represent the broad diversity of people and business types across the dairy industry, and we are confident they will make a valuable a positive contribution to this year’s class. They have been identified by their nominating companies as tomorrow’s industry leaders.

IDFA is proud to present Episode 3 of IDFA's Careers in Dairy Video Series: Production Operators. Production operators are essential to ensuring dairy plants work efficiently and effectively, and the position is in demand across many food and manufacturing sectors around the country. We hope this video will be useful to your efforts recruiting and retaining similar positions for your operations.

Dairy farmers and processors across the nation pride themselves on providing nutritious, healthful foods. Milk provides 13 essential vitamins and nutrients, including three of the four deemed to be of public health concern. Milk also is the top source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in kids ages 2-18. The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlight the robust nutrient package milk provides and notes that school-aged children do not consume recommended amounts of dairy foods. Ensuring children and adolescents have access to nutrient-dense milk and healthful dairy foods is a top priority for NMPF, IDFA, and our members.

USDA’s actions announced today will pump an additional $4.3 billion into school and child care meals this school year through substantial increases to free/reduced-price lunch and breakfast reimbursements. This funding is vital to ensuring the professionals working in these settings can continue to serve nutritious milk and other nutritious dairy foods that contribute to the growth, development, healthy immune function, and overall wellness of our children.

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Blimling and Associates, Inc., a dairy research and consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. 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: Shipping Costs Easing, […]

IDFA is pleased to announce that registration for Dairy Forum 2023 is now open! Dairy Forum is the premier annual event for dairy foods leaders to connect with peers, advance their knowledge and thinking, and get inspired. More than 1,000 dairy leaders convene each year at Dairy Forum to INSPIRE the industry for the year […]

All parts of the U.S. economy and at least 44 other nations throughout the world are experiencing high rates of inflation due to several global factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing supply chain woes, rising wages amid labor shortages, and Russia’s war with Ukraine, which has thrown global energy, food and fertilizer markets into disorder. […]

Read the latest issue of The Dairy Bar, a bi-weekly report from IDFA partner Blimling and Associates, Inc., a dairy research and consulting firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. 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: Staffing Remains A […]

IDFA members are deeply committed to ending hunger by making it easier for everyone — urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal communities — to access and afford healthy, nutritious milk and dairy foods. SNAP and WIC are central to this conversation. We know from USDA’s Foods Typically Purchased Report that dairy products make up at least 20 percent of the grocery bill for SNAP participants.