WASHINGTON, January 20, 2021—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the 46th President of the United States:

“The International Dairy Foods Association congratulates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their inauguration as president and vice president of the United States, respectively. President Biden and his new administration have rightly prioritized the nation’s health and wellbeing in the midst of a pandemic—goals the dairy industry shares. IDFA offers our partnership in finding creative ways to reduce hunger, improving access to nutritious foods, including dairy, bridging the rural-urban divide in our nation, and improving access to vaccines for our essential food industry workers. We also look forward to supporting the new administration’s sustainability efforts through unleashed innovation and a continued commitment to leaving future generations with better opportunities than we had ourselves. On behalf of the men and women working across the dairy industry—from farms to processing facilities to distribution hubs and retail—IDFA looks forward to working with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and other members of the new administration. Together, we can enhance economic progress for food producing communities, strengthen export opportunities, and create a more sustainable footprint for our food and agriculture sector.”

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $159 billion in wages and $620 billion in overall economic impact. 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. Together, they represent 90 percent of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.

IDFA Media Contact

Andrew Jerome

Vice President, Communications