Dairy Processing - November/December 2024 - 77

which advance and demonstrate the important and unique
value our industry and our products provide for people and
the planet:
Advance well being: deliver dairy nutrition that meets
emerging and personalized health needs.
Regenerate the environment: Optimize dairy solutions
that enhance natural resources and ecosystems.
Care for our animals and communities: Ensure
healthy animals, a vibrant workforce and safe, high quality
dairy foods.
The Innovation Center addresses these opportunities
through our operating committees and task forces that
consist of dairy farmers, along with representatives from
cooperatives, processors, industry organizations and other
experts as needed.
Each committee brings an action-focused mindset
and strong knowledge base to the table so they can build
alignment on what matters most and drill deeper into
solutions that benefit everyone and help us adapt to an
ever-changing consumer and customer landscape. The work
is further strengthened through the input and engagement
with members of the US Dairy Sustainability Alliance. The
committees and task forces include:
* US Dairy Stewardship Commitment - A voluntary
platform adopted by dairy cooperatives and processors
to transparently demonstrate US dairy commitments and
progress in stewardship on the farm, in the field and in
the processing plant.
* Health and well being - Advance dairy as a modern
health and wellness solution through development of
science-backed messaging and claims that relate to
evolving consumer needs.
* Environmental stewardship - Advance dairy as an
environmental solution, working toward 2050 goals to
achieve GHG neutrality, optimize water use and improve
water quality.
* Animal care - Demonstrate dairy farmers' commitment to
excellent, humane and ethical animal care.
* Food safety - Ensure broad adoption of advanced risk
mitigation practices to protect consumers and global
consumer confidence in US dairy.
* Communications - Build awareness and support for US
dairy's social responsibility story, progress and role in
global sustainable food systems.
* Food security - Enable increased and reliable access to
nutritious dairy products for those facing hunger.
* GHG accounting - Create a favorable environment for
dairy farmers to invest in GHG reductions on farm and
ensure that US dairy can successfully demonstrate its
positive impact in reducing GHG as a category.
Harnessing the industry's
collective insights and best
practices reduces the burden
on any one organization. "
PROGRESS
There is so much exciting work occurring in each area and I'd
like to share some examples of progress.
The US Dairy Stewardship Commitment has gained
adoption from 42 companies representing more than 77%
of milk production. This means they commit to using
programs such as the National Dairy Farmers Assuring
Responsible Management (FARM) Program, which
demonstrates the highest standards on US dairy farms.
Aligned use of FARM as one coordinated program and
strategy helps to streamline efforts across the industry.
The Stewardship Commitment also includes a processor
reporting tool so companies can track their progress
against shared metrics, which are then aggregated into
our biannual US Dairy Sustainability Report, transparently
reporting our industry's progress.
Engaging more than 100 industry volunteers, the Food
Safety Committee has trained more than 5,000 individuals
on best practices to keep dairy foods safe. The trainings
and resources cover all facets of dairy manufacturing for
companies of all sizes, including web-based resources tailored
for artisan cheese and ice cream makers.
The Food Security Task Force has partnered with Feeding
America to build connections between dairy processors and
food banks, and share best practices that support consistent,
available supply of dairy products in the hunger system. More
than 300 individuals participated in regional Dairy Nourishes
America symposia, and the related tools and best practices
are now available through an interactive online tool kit. In
2023, 406 million lbs of dairy were distributed via the Feeding
America food bank network.
There's no doubt that US dairy plays a special and valuable
role in our diets and in our world. And while new issues and
opportunities are continually emerging, it's our ability to
work together combined with the diverse nature and scale of
US dairy - from farm through retail - that gives US dairy a
unique strength in today's global marketplace.
The Innovation Center for US Dairy is a voluntary
organization that works across the dairy value chain to
foster collaboration and progress to build a healthy and
sustainable future for the dairy community,
the people it serves and the planet.
DAIRYPROCESSING.COM | NOV-DEC 2023 77
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Dairy Processing - November/December 2024

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