Welcome to the 119th Congress!
We’re grateful you’ve taken the time to learn about the dairy industry, its impact on your state or district, and how you can champion policies that support our growing industry. The International Dairy Foods Association hopes to serve as a valuable and resourceful partner as you navigate the complexities of food and agriculture policy.
On this page, you can:
- Find out how dairy supports your state or district through job creation and economic impact
- See which IDFA members have operations in your state or district
- Explore dairy industry policy priorities
- Meet the IDFA legislative team
- Arrange a tour in your state or district
Creating Jobs and Economic Growth for Your State or District
IDFA represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. Here’s a look at how the dairy industry benefits your state or district economically:
About IDFA
IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Find out what IDFA members are in your state or district, and browse IDFA priorities for the 119th Congress below. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the members of our legislative affairs team with any questions or to schedule a meeting to learn more about our growing and vibrant industry.
IDFA Member Locations in Your State or District
Interested in a tour of a dairy plant in your state or district?
IDFA is happy to help organize tours at our members’ facilities. If you are interested in arranging a tour, please contact Colin Newman, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief of Staff at [email protected].
IDFA Policy Priorities for the 119th Congress
Farm Bill
IDFA supports strengthening incentives to encourage SNAP families to purchase more healthy milk, cheese and yogurt. We also support authorizing USDA to conduct regular dairy processing cost surveys and preserving meaningful access to risk management tools that help dairy foods companies and farmers address price fluctuations.
Nutrition
According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, milk and dairy products are under-consumed by 90% of our citizens. IDFA is pleased the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) advised HHS and USDA to continue to recommend that Americans consume three servings of dairy per day; that dairy products remain as a distinct food group in recognition of their unmatched health and nutrition benefits; and confirmed lactose-free dairy as an integral part of the dairy group.
IDFA supports allowing additional milkfat varieties, cheese, and yogurt to be eligible for SNAP purchase incentives, expanding milk options in school meals and preventing a cut to the dairy allotment in the WIC program to ensure that all Americans have access to the 13 essential nutrients that dairy provides.
Appropriations
IDFA supports increased funding to allow more congressional districts and states to participate in the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Projects which provide incentives to encourage greater consumption of healthy dairy products in SNAP households.
Trade
U.S. dairy’s global competitiveness will suffer if new US tariffs imposed on imports trigger retaliatory tariffs from our key trading partners, including Mexico and Canada. In addition, a significant number of US dairy processors import ingredients, equipment and other products. If these imports become more expensive due to tariffs, US consumers will be forced to pay higher prices to reflect these additional costs.
Supply Chain
IDFA supports legislation to modernize and streamline the rail supply chain, as well as programs to make the transportation of dairy products on federal highways safer and more efficient. Congress should also ensure that the Ocean Shipping Reform Act is fully implemented in 2025.
Workforce
IDFA supports legislation that would expand the H-2A program to include US dairy farming and processing jobs. We also urge Congress to reform the current immigration system to provide a more efficient path to legalization that prioritizes those who have followed the rules.
Sustainability
IDFA supports the continuation of voluntary, incentive- and market-based sustainability programs that impact dairy supply chains and surrounding communities. We advocate for clear, consistent, and practical GHG project monitoring, accounting, and reporting standards that reward and recognize the longstanding sustainability initiatives of the U.S. dairy sector. We support innovative government funding programs, such as the SUSTAINS Act authority under USDA, to help our supply chains adopt new technologies that optimize dairy production.
IDFA Policy Priorities for the Trump Administration
Below are a comprehensive set of federal policy priorities that have been sent to President Trump’s transition team. IDFA and its more than 300 members are looking to the new administration to help U.S. dairy drive innovation, reduce barriers to business efficiency, and open new market access around the world.
Meet the Team
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