The dairy industry is poised to continue to experience tremendous growth. Taken together, 2020 and 2021 were two of the strongest years on record for dairy sales. However, persistent supply chain issues have made it harder for dairy producers and processors to take advantage of the record demand for dairy both in the U.S. and abroad.

This week, more than 40 IDFA member companies from across the country participated in a virtual fly-in to meet with members of Congress and the Administration about supply chain issues and to advocate on IDFA appropriations priorities, including expanding funding for the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive Projects program. The group also updated members of Congress on USDA efforts to update school meal nutrition standards, as well as the FDA stay of the yogurt standard of identity.

The IDFA leaders, which included many IDFA NextGen Leadership Program participants, met with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, U.S. Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel B. Maffei, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA-2), Ed Case (D-HI-1), Andy Harris (R-MD-01), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-01), and Mike Simpson (R-ID-2).

Thank you to the IDFA member companies who participated in the meetings.

The next IDFA fly-in is planned for June 21-22 in coordination with the Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party.