Dairy
Research Institute Formed to Align Resources, Grow Dairy Research Program
The
institute is first of its kind to provide industrywide approach to technical
research for U.S. dairy to meet consumer needs
Rosemont,
Ill. —
Marking another step in the dairy industry's efforts to accelerate innovation
and increase future demand for dairy, Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI)
and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy announced today the formation of the Dairy
Research Institute™, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that
will strengthen the dairy industry’s access to and investment in the technical
research needed to drive demand for dairy products and ingredients, globally.
The
institute brings together leadership from across the dairy industry, scientific
community, academics, government and other organizations to plan and fund
leading-edge dairy research in three key priority areas: nutrition science,
product development and sustainability.
“The
Dairy Research Institute fulfills a vital need to align our industry’s
research efforts to address consumer needs and increase sales,” said Kevin
Ponticelli, chair of the Dairy Research Institute Board of Directors and
executive vice president of DMI, which manages the national dairy checkoff
program on behalf of the nation’s dairy farmers. “In an increasingly
competitive marketplace, it is critical that we work together as an industry to
increase and manage the industry’s investment in research.”
The
launch of the Dairy Research Institute builds upon the unprecedented efforts of
dairy producers, processors and manufacturers to work together pre-competitively
through the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, formed in 2008. The Dairy Research
Institute is affiliated with the Innovation Center, and provides a forum for
industry to identify major research needs to support dairy industry innovation,
and grow dairy sales.
“The
U.S. dairy industry has a long history of using science-based research to
provide the knowledge, guidance and tools needed to foster innovation and
promote the nutrient-rich value of dairy and the industry’s long-standing
commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Greg Miller, executive vice
president, research, regulatory and scientific affairs for DMI and president of
the Dairy Research Institute. “Through partnerships and a commitment to
sound science, we will support the importance of dairy in the diet and the
sustainability of the products and ingredients we produce. The dairy industry
needs to remain at the forefront of research to meet the challenges of today and
those yet to come.”
The
Dairy Research Institute builds on the legacy of nutrition and product research
conducted by the National Dairy Council since 1915, and will leverage their
expertise, as well as other partners, including five dairy research centers at
major universities and government agencies, such as the USDA’s Agricultural
Research Services and the Department of Defense’s Natick Soldier Center, and
other leading scientific, health and nongovernment organizations. The Dairy
Research Institute also will coordinate with the International Dairy Foods
Association (IDFA), the National Milk Producers Federation, the Milk Processor
Education Program, DMI, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Global Dairy Platform, and
other industry and non-industry partners.
“The
U.S. dairy industry understands the important role research plays in giving
consumers the nutritious dairy products they want — when, where and how they
want them,” said Connie Tipton, president and chief executive officer,
International Dairy Foods Association. “By working together to prioritize,
support and share research with stakeholders, we will be better positioned to
meet consumer needs, and protect and promote dairy in the marketplace.”
Dairy
Research Institute™
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization affiliated with the
Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and was created to strengthen the dairy
industry’s access to and investment in the technical research required to
drive innovation and demand for dairy products and ingredients, globally. The
institute will work with and through industry, academic, government and
commercial partners to drive pre-competitive research in nutrition, products and
sustainability.
Innovation
Center for U.S. Dairy
provides a forum for the dairy industry to work
together pre-competitively to address barriers and opportunities to foster
innovation and increase sales. The Innovation Center aligns the collective
resources of the industry to offer consumers nutritious dairy products and
ingredients, and promote the health of people, communities, the planet and the
industry. The Board of Directors for the Innovation Center represents leaders of
31 key U.S. producer organizations, dairy cooperatives, processors,
manufacturers and brands. The Innovation Center is supported and staffed by
Dairy Management Inc.™
About
Dairy Management Inc.
™ Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is the nonprofit domestic and
international planning and management organization responsible for increasing
sales of and demand for U.S.-produced dairy products and ingredients on behalf
of America’s dairy producers. DMI manages the American Dairy Association®,
National Dairy Council® and U.S. Dairy Export Council®.
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