IDFA Association News
IDFA Better Process Cheese School to cover LACF regulations
IDFA SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
What are good manufacturing practices for low-acid canned food (LACF) cheese? Can any processed cheese be stored outside of refrigeration? For answers to these questions and more, join Kathy Glass, Ph.D., associate director of the Food Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin, and a team of industry experts at IDFA's Better Process Cheese School, June 14-15, in Rosemont, Ill. Register now.
Ready for new FDA inspections? Free IDFA webinar will help
IDFA SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Under the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), plant inspections by the Food and Drug Administration could be considerably different from past inspections. IDFA will host a free webinar, "FSMA & the FDA Inspection Process," on June 19 from 1-3 p.m. Backed by 25 years of FDA experience, Joseph Levitt, a partner at Hogan Lovells US and IDFA outside counsel, will lead the presentation. Learn more.
Make hotel reservations for IDFA Fly-In by May 28
IDFA SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
The Liaison Capitol Hill, site of this year's Washington Conference, will accept reservations at IDFA's special conference rate through Monday, May 28. If you haven't made your reservations yet, be sure to do so today, especially if you're planning to bring the family to Washington Conference and the Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party, June 20-21. Register now.
Dairy Plant Food Safety Workshop travels to L.A., Syracuse
IDFA SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Registration is now open for the next sessions of the Dairy Plant Food Safety Workshop. They will be held Aug. 21-22 in Los Angeles and Oct. 23-34 in Syracuse, N.Y. Offered by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, the workshop reinforces the industry's commitment to effective food-safety processes and helps dairy plants meet stringent regulations that are part of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Register today.
Learn how environmental, social values affect consumer purchases
IDFA SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The concept of Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, or LOHAS, covers the market for goods and services that appeal to consumers who incorporate environmental and social responsibility values into their purchase decisions. Steve French, managing partner at the Natural Marketing Institute, will kick off IDFA's Dairy Sustainability Symposium, May 30-31 in Chicago, by demonstrating how dairy companies can leverage LOHAS trends in business strategy and marketing. The symposium also will cover smart fleets, the cheese and whey lifecycle assessment, modeling tools, new packaging, case studies and much more. Register today.
Order combinations of Labeling Manuals for significant savings
IDFA SmartBrief | May 21, 2012
IDFA's labeling manuals for milk and milk products, cheese, and ice cream and frozen desserts have been fully revised and updated with new information on nutrient content claims, qualified health claims and structure/function claims. The new content covers all aspects of labeling, including standards of identity and product name, net contents statements, ingredient listing and allergen information. Order all three or a combination of any two for significant savings.
Sustainability efforts bring cost savings, increased efficiency, customer kudos
IDFA SmartBrief | May 21, 2012
For dairy companies, sustainability offers a win-win proposition that contributes to your company's bottom line. The Dairy Sustainability Symposium, May 30-31 in Chicago, will target ways to decrease your carbon footprint while increasing plant efficiency. Visit IDFA's YouTube channel for symposium's highlights. Learn more.
Washington Conference: Be Here, Be Heard and Bring the Family
IDFA SmartBrief | May 18, 2012
Have you registered yet for IDFA's Washington Conference? The popular legislative fly-in, scheduled for June 20-21, in Washington, D.C., will include a briefing on pending legislation, meetings with members of Congress and administration officials, the Family Fun Program and the 30th Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party. Register today.
FDA's Taylor to speak at Food & Agriculture Conference in July
IDFA SmartBrief | May 14, 2012
IDFA and several other organizations are collaborating to promote the Food & Agriculture 2012 National Conference scheduled for July 19 in Minneapolis. Presented by Faegre Baker Daniels, an international law firm, the conference will bring together national industry leaders, in-house counsel, business executives and regulatory representatives to discuss topics from field to fork. Michael Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods, Food and Drug Administration, will speak about the Food Safety Modernization Act. Learn more.
IDFA VP Clay Detlefsen offers sustainability symposium highlights
IDFA SmartBrief | May 14, 2012
IDFA's Dairy Sustainability Symposium, May 30-31 in Chicago, will feature several new resources that show dairy professionals how to identify new opportunities to save energy and money, calculate their companies' carbon footprints and incorporate sustainability into business strategy and marketing. Visit IDFA's YouTube channel for a brief video by Detlefsen on the symposium's highlights. Learn more.
Engles of Dean Foods opposes milk supply limits
IDFA SmartBrief | May 11, 2012
Gregg Engles, chairman and CEO of Dean Foods, told CNBC that supply management is the wrong answer for the American farm community "because we're very competitive globally in dairy" and for consumers "because it ultimately leads to higher prices." He posed a question for Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about whether the United States should move to a more market-oriented system of pricing or step toward policies limiting supply that other countries are walking away from. Listen to Engles interview and Vilsack's response.
International Dairy Show and PROCESS EXPO to co-locate in 2013
IDFA SmartBrief | May 11, 2012
IDFA and the Food Processing Suppliers Association announced Monday that they have signed an agreement to co-locate the International Dairy Show and PROCESS EXPO in Chicago, beginning in 2013. The two shows will take place Nov. 3-6, 2013, bringing together over 800 exhibitors and 15,000 industry professionals in the North and South Halls of McCormick Place.
Tap IDFA's experts and resources to supplement your team
IDFA SmartBrief | May 09, 2012
IDFA provides a wealth of information about the dairy industry that is not available anywhere else, such as background on dairy policy issues, food safety guidance and compliance, economic analyses and market updates, international trade and standards, crisis management, training programs and manuals, directories of members and more. One of the most valuable member benefits is access to our expert staff to answer questions and provide assistance. Read more.
Bring your voice to Washington for IDFA's legislative 'fly-in'
IDFA SmartBrief | May 09, 2012
Registration is now open for IDFA's 2012 Washington Conference, the industry's legislative fly-in, scheduled for June 20-21, in Washington, D.C. With the Farm Bill debate in full force this year, the emphasis will be on getting to Capitol Hill for face-to-face meetings with members of Congress, as well as meeting with administration officials. The conference also will feature a briefing by IDFA's policy experts on pending legislation, a Family Fun Program and the 30th annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party. Learn more.
Other planning tools available from IDFA Bookstore
IDFA SmartBrief | May 07, 2012
If you don't have IDFA's 2012 Membership Directory and Dairy Facts 2011 booklet, be sure to order copies today. With listings of all IDFA member companies, the directory is a must-have resource that includes all processor members and their product offerings. It also provides full descriptions of supplier products and services. Dairy Facts gives a comprehensive overview on the state of the U.S. dairy industry, as well as facts and figures on milk, cheese, ice cream and cultured dairy products. Purchase copies here.
IDFA VP Clay Detlefsen offers Sustainability Symposium highlights
IDFA SmartBrief | May 07, 2012
IDFA's Dairy Sustainability Symposium, May 30-31 in Chicago, will feature several new resources that show dairy professionals how to identify new opportunities to save energy and money, calculate their companies' carbon footprints and incorporate sustainability into business strategy and marketing. Visit IDFA's YouTube channel for a brief video by Detlefsen on the symposium's highlights.
Still time to register for Dairy Accounting Workshop
IDFA SmartBrief | May 04, 2012
IDFA's all-new Dairy Accounting and Finance Workshop will feature experts from Herbein + Company to review the ins and outs of milk pricing, tax credits, cost segregation, federal and state milk reports, cost centers, how to measure plant efficiency and more. The workshop will be held May 15-16 in Rosemont, Ill. Register today.
Add sustainability tools to reach financial, environmental goals
IDFA SmartBrief | May 04, 2012
IDFA's Dairy Sustainability Symposium, May 30-31 at the Hilton Chicago, will feature several new resources that show dairy professionals how to identify new opportunities to save energy and money, calculate their companies' carbon footprints and incorporate sustainability into business strategy and marketing. "Sustainability is the business model for every successful business today," said Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs. Learn more.
Processors: Plan new projects with IDFA Online Buyers' Guide
IDFA SmartBrief | May 02, 2012
Are you considering new projects and preparing new budgets for 2012 and beyond? Use IDFA's Online Buyers' Guide to find the products and services your company expects to use. "The guide lists hundreds of companies serving the dairy industry that can provide detailed information about products, skills and services and offer a quote," said Cindy Cavallo, IDFA director of membership. Learn more.
Bring your voice to Washington for IDFA's Legislative Fly-In
IDFA SmartBrief | May 02, 2012
IDFA's 2012 Washington Conference, the industry's legislative fly-in, is scheduled for June 20-21, in Washington, D.C. With the Farm Bill debate in full force this year, the emphasis will be on getting to Capitol Hill for face-to-face meetings with members of Congress, as well as meeting with administration officials. The conference also will feature a briefing by IDFA's policy experts on pending legislation, a Family Fun Program and the 30th annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party. Register today.
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