IDFA

The Farm Bill is back—and dairy priorities are gaining momentum. 🥛🏛️ As the legislation moves to the Senate, dairy is emerging as a key part of nutrition policy and incentive‑based programs that expand access to healthy foods. For IDFA members, this moment matters. The Farm Bill is the primary vehicle to advance priorities like the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program (DNIP)—building on the success of the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) pilot. We sat down with Chelsie Keys, IDFA’s senior vice president of government relations, to break down what’s at stake and why dairy is gaining traction on Capitol Hill. Read the full blog 👇 idfa.org/news/idfa-insi…

What's the secret sauce to delivering high-quality dairy products? We sat down with Skyler Sherrod, General Manager of Terminal Operations at Western Dairy Transport, LLC to discuss the unique challenges milk hauling companies have in transporting perishable foods to the masses to assure top-notch quality. Catch that and a whole lot more in the full episode, Ep. 114 - Milk Hauling and Transportation in the Dairy Supply Chain, of The Dairy Download! 👇 idfa.org/thedairydownlo…

From smart trailers to real-time data, technology is transforming how dairy moves from farm to table. In this episode of The Dairy Download, we explore the real-world challenges of transporting temperature-sensitive products, the cold chain innovations, and how AI is changing the way the industry manages quality, risk, and on-time delivery. Tune in for insights from Skyler Sherrod, general manager of terminal operations at Western Dairy Transport, LLC, and Don Durm, vice president of supply chain solutions at PLM Fleet! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1Jda10YSr… Or online: idfa.org/thedairydownlo…

IT'S BACK! Get excited for the 42nd annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party! Join us at Union Square Park on Wednesday, June 10, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. for the best bipartisan party in town. Mark your calendars! We hope to see you there: idfa.org/events/idfas-4…

INTRODUCING IDFA's PROJECT DIVERSIFY: U.S. dairy exports are nearing $10 billion annually, and global demand for American dairy continues to grow. To build on that momentum, IDFA is proud to launch Project Diversify, a data‑backed initiative designed to help identify the next generation of high‑growth export markets for U.S. dairy. Our inaugural report applies our bespoke framework to western Africa, identifying Nigeria, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire as high-potential markets based on demand growth, import needs, and market stability. Explore the findings and see how Project Diversify can help position U.S. dairy for its next phase of global growth: idfa.org/resources/proj…

We applaud today's advancement of the 2026 Farm Bill by the U.S. House of Representatives—legislation that would expand dairy nutrition incentives in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and strengthen key dairy programs. We're grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Chairman G.T. Thompson (PA-15) @CongressmanGT throughout this process, and look forward to continuing to work with policymakers as the Farm Bill process moves ahead, advocating for a strong, forward‑looking outcome for U.S. dairy. 🥛🇺🇸 Read the full press release 👇 idfa.org/news/idfa-laud…

IDFA member Great Lakes Cheese welcomed the opportunity to attend a listening session with @USDA @SecRollins hosted by Rep. @derrickvanorden at Morning Star Dairy in Onalaska, WI this week. Thank you, Rep. Van Orden for your strong support for dairy through the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, Dairy Nutrition Incentives Projects in SNAP, and Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives!

Chocolate has reclaimed its place as America’s favorite ice cream flavor! Where does your favorite flavor stack up? Learn more: idfa.org/news/chocolate… After vanilla took the top spot in 2024, this year’s results show chocolate back at No. 1, with butter pecan also rising ahead of vanilla among U.S. consumers. Dive into IDFA’s biannual National Ice Cream & Frozen Novelty Trends Survey to get a clear snapshot of how Americans’ tastes are evolving.

Stand Ready. Speak Up. Shape the Future of Dairy. The dairy industry’s success depends on policymakers and regulators hearing directly from those who produce, process, transport, market, and support dairy in their states and communities. That’s why IDFA is launching Rapid Response Advocates for Dairy (RRAD), a new professional advocacy community designed to quickly mobilize trained dairy advocates when timely action is needed on federal and state policy issues. Apply today! Applications are open now through May 22. Visit our website to learn more about this community and how to get involved: idfa.org/rapid-response…

What makes the IDFA Leadership Symposium a great networking opportunity for rising leaders? We had the chance to catch up with Wesley Eveland, Director of Procurement at Hilmar to discuss why he thinks the networking made at Leadership Symposium lead to lifelong career connections. Gain high-impact leadership training tailored to the dairy industry through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, expand your professional network, and earn an advanced leadership and management certificate. Register today for Leadership Symposium! We'll see you in Madison, June 22-25 👇 idfa.org/events/leaders…

IDFA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman David Scott. Rep. Scott was a respected leader on food and agriculture policy and a longtime member of the House Agriculture Committee, including serving as its chairman, where he worked to strengthen America’s food system and support farmers, producers, and families. Throughout his career, he championed federal nutrition programs and policies that expanded access to nutritious dairy foods and supported the agricultural economy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his staff, and all who were touched by his life and decades of public service. @repdavidscott

What makes the IDFA Leadership Symposium such a valuable experience for attendees? We spoke with Morgan Gruhlke, Director of Strategic Sourcing at Sargento to discuss why he thinks this conference provides tangible takeaways you can immediately bring back to your company. Gain high-impact leadership training tailored to the dairy industry through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, expand your professional network, and earn an advanced leadership and management certificate. Register today for Leadership Symposium! We'll see you in Madison, June 22-25 👇 idfa.org/events/leaders…

Sustainability is efficiency. And American dairy farmers are increasing their efficiency every year. Between 2007 and 2020, production rose by 28% while emissions per unit of milk fell by 13%. At the same time, the dairy industry has committed to investing in ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in renewable energy production. There are currently 400 digesters operational across the U.S. to transform manure into renewable energy. These systems have reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by nearly 15 million metric tons over the last 25 years.

What are "Individual Development Plans" and why do they work so well for career growth in dairy? We sat down with Shawna Nelson, CEO at Organic Valley to discuss why having a plan is the best way for employees to create career paths that can provide meaning, growth, and long-term success. Catch that and a whole lot more in the full episode of The Dairy Download! 👇 idfa.org/thedairydownlo…

How can dairy companies succession plan with meaning and intentionality? We sat down with Bob Sarver, President and CEO of Great Lakes Cheese, to discuss how dairy organizations can develop and empower their future leaders. Catch that and a whole lot more in the full episode of The Dairy Download! 👇 idfa.org/thedairydownlo…

Listen to the latest on The Dairy Download! In this episode, we're joined by two leaders who reflect on the lessons that have shaped their careers and how they can inspire the next generation of leaders — all while navigating the growth of their respective companies and moving the entire dairy industry forward. Tune in to hear from Shawna Nelson, CEO of @OrganicValley, and Bob Sarver, president and CEO of Great Lakes Cheese, about their perspectives on leadership and what lies ahead for dairy! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1Jda10YSr… Or online: idfa.org/thedairydownlo… @_EverAg

🎬 That’s a wrap on the 2026 Ice Cream & Cultured Innovation Conference — our most-attended conference yet, in beautiful Naples, Florida. The highlight of the conference was our innovative flavor contests including over 65 ice cream and cultured product submissions. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to our contest submissions, conference attendees and sponsors. We’ll see you next year in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for the 2027 Ice Cream & Cultured Innovation Conference! 🌴🍦 See the full photo album. More photos to come later this week 👇 flic.kr/s/aHBqjCQYSV

Texture and mouthfeel — two critical R&D elements when creating new products, and we sat down with an expert to talk about the latest developments in dairy! Stephen Cobbe, Global Senior R&D Director at Kerry explains the key elements that go into making new dairy products that stick with consumers. Catch that and a whole lot more in the full episode of The Dairy Download! 👇 idfa.org/thedairydownlo…

Blueberries, strawberries, boba — what are the flavors and inclusions in dairy products that consumers are aching for now, and what will they want in the future? We sat down with Nils Schaede, Director of Marketing at Zentis Group to discuss how flavors and inclusions that go from an idea, to production, to becoming a staple on grocery store shelves. What's your favorite "inclusion" in dairy? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to catch the full episode of The Dairy Download below! idfa.org/thedairydownlo…

Tune in to the latest episode of The Dairy Download to explore what is driving innovation across the dairy space, from the rapid evolution of high-protein products to the growing demand of better-for-you formulations that still deliver on taste! We're joined by Stephen Cobbe, senior technical director for dairy business development at @WeAreKerry, and Nils Schaede, marketing director at Zentis North America to discuss the biggest shifts in dairy ingredient innovation and what will define the next frontier in the category. Tune in and subscribe! Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1Jda10YSr… Or online: idfa.org/thedairydownlo… And thank you to Kerry for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about Kerry here: kerry.com/markets/food-a…