Dairy Farmers of America

This #NationalCooperativeMonth, we’re excited to share all the benefits of being a cooperative. Think of an organization that supports local communities, champions sustainability and benefits everyone involved. Does your typical corporation come to mind? (Probably not!) That’s because these exceptional qualities come from a cooperative model, where the member-owners come first, not shareholders.    There are many kinds of cooperatives — from grocery cooperatives to financial cooperatives, and, like DFA, agricultural cooperatives — but all are formed to benefit their member-owners.    💪 At DFA, we’re a leading global dairy cooperative of family dairy farmers across the United States caring for their cows, their land and their communities.     🐄 Our core business is to market our farmer-owners’ milk while also delivering quality products from the family farm to the manufacturing plant, and into the hands of consumers around the world.    🏭 We manufacture nearly every form, function and flavor of nutritional dairy products to bring the joys and nutrition of dairy to consumers everywhere.    As a farmer-owned and farmer-governed cooperative, all our farmer-owners have an opportunity to share their voice and help shape our future — all because of the cooperative model!   

#ICYMI: We’re #DFAProud to celebrate Sheila Sherwood, DFA farmer-owner of Cedar Ridge Farms, for recently being named one of Utah Business' Most Influential Women of 2024! Learn more about Shelia >> https://bit.ly/3XX43Am.

Severe weather is unpredictable, but our commitment to supporting farmer-owners, neighbors, and communities is at the core of who we are as a cooperative. Even before the recent storms hit, we were contingency planning and determining how to ensure impacted farms and communities received immediate support. Our teams have been optimizing hauling routes and assessing the best ways to provide targeted assistance to minimize disruptions for our farmers and the communities they support. Along with the farmers and employees of DFA, you can join us in making an impact. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, our farmer-owners formalized our disaster relief strategy by creating the DFA Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to disaster relief, scholarships, and combating food insecurity. With these efforts already in motion, we continue to assist families affected by the storms and will be there in the weeks and months ahead. By donating today, you can be part of the recovery. Join #DFAInAction and help us provide hope and help to those impacted by Hurricane Helene: https://bit.ly/3cBgSYW.

Some like it hot, some like it cold. But this #NationalCoffeeDay, there’s no denying that real dairy — whole milk, 2%, half-and-half, you name it — adds a little something special to your morning cup of joe. At Revolution Coffee Company in Denison, Texas, owners Benjamin and Amanda Hernandez elevate their drinks even further with milk from DFA farmer-owned brand, Oak Farms Dairy. “As we grew and developed our menu and culture, we became really aware of what we were consuming,” Benjamin says. “We were already making our own syrups but took it even further and completely cleaned house of anything artificial. Now, our goal is to show that healthy isn't always kale and keto. You can live a healthy life and enjoy real food, good coffee and great times.” Knowing that most specialty coffee drinks are made up of 80% milk, Benjamin and Amanda knew they had to ensure their choice of dairy was as high quality as their beans and syrups. “Oak Farms was the clear winner,” Benjamin says. “It has elevated the flavor, quality and consistency of our drinks insurmountably. Not only do we use Oak Farms for our drinks, but for our syrups, such as caramel and butterscotch, which need half-and-half and heavy cream, respectively.” Benjamin’s top tip for your at-home coffee? Buy a milk frother. “Adding hot, frothy milk to your coffee takes the quality of your drink up immensely,” he says. “No more sad cups of at-home coffee!” We’re #DFAProud to have customers like Benjamin and Amanda, who know the value of high-quality ingredients like real milk from family farms.

Take action today to ensure everyone has access to the full benefits of dairy! The Dietary Guidelines for Americans shape federal nutrition policies and impact programs like School Lunch and WIC. Currently, they only recognize non-fat and low-fat dairy, limiting access to nutrient-rich whole and reduced-fat milk. Let’s change that! By writing a letter to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, you can help advocate to expand access to all dairy options, which provide essential health benefits like stronger immunity, lower blood pressure, and a reduced risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Your voice matters—#JoinDFAInAction and send your letter of support today >> https://p2a.co/4AKUyVB!

Just in time for #NationalChocolateMilkDay, have you ever wondered how that chocolatey goodness in a jug is made? Our secret recipe begins at our family-owned dairy farms, where fresh milk is sourced, and then brought to our manufacturing plants to be transformed into rich, creamy chocolate milk for you to enjoy. Step into a DFA manufacturing plant and discover the special ingredients that make this chocolate beverage so delightful. (If you ever watched the documentary T.V. series How It's Made, you’ll love this!)

For generations, dairy farmers have been committed to caring for the planet, and we’re #DFAProud to help share how their efforts are making a difference during #ClimateWeek2024. Jackie Klippenstein, senior vice president and chief of government and industry relations officer, and Jay Waldvogel, retired DFA senior leader and current global dairy consultant with Dairy Nourishes Africa, shared their insights on panels about future-focused environmental solutions for agriculture and beyond. This is just one of the many ways we’re engaging in New York City this week. Whether at climate conferences, farming with integrity or optimizing our processes, we’re committed to ensuring dairy continues to be good for you and the planet. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gypgWfgD.

#WorldSchoolMilkDay shines a spotlight on the critical role school milk programs play around the globe. These programs ensure children get the essential nutrients they need, like calcium, protein and vitamins, which are vital for their growth and development. We’re #DFAProud to be part of this mission, supplying milk to schools nationwide and ensuring that kids have access to this nutrient-packed beverage. This year, we’ve taken things to the next level through our exciting partnership with Disney! We’re not just providing delicious milk but also creating memorable experiences for students and staff. By featuring beloved Disney characters, we’ve turned milk time into a fun and engaging part of the school day — boosting both conversation and consumption. And the results are in — it’s working! 🥳 “Leveraging the charm and popularity of Disney, Star Wars and Marvel characters, we’ve seen increased engagement and consumption, transforming milk from a routine beverage into a much more exciting choice,” says Emily House, school nutrition coordinator for Gainesville City School System (GCSS) in Gainsville, Ga. “Milk, when offered daily at breakfast and lunch, can become just another part of the meal. But with seasonal branding, we’re bringing new life to this nutritious beverage and adding joy to our students’ day.” It’s not just the students who are loving it — the school nutrition staff is getting in on the fun too! “The staff has been decorating the serving areas with themed posters and banners,” says Romona Glasper, school nutrition manager, Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy, also in Gainsville. “These elements create a fun and immersive atmosphere that wouldn’t normally fit within our budget.” This fall, #Marvel characters welcomed students back to school, and more character-themed items will be available throughout the year. “By including milk as part of a school meal, we ensure that students receive a balanced diet, contributing to their overall health and well-being,” says Penny Fowler, director of school nutrition for GCSS. We’re dedicated to continuing this positive experience, helping kids reach their full potential and become lifelong milk drinkers!

All real dairy products have one thing in common: Just like everything good, they don’t last forever. To keep your milk, butter, cheese and ice cream fresh for as long as possible and safe for enjoying, follow some simple storage tips this #NationalFoodSafetyEducationMonth. 🥛 The best place to keep your milk isn’t the refrigerator door; it’s in the back on a lower shelf. To help your milk last longer, close the lid tightly and put it back immediately after using. 🧀 From hard to soft to fresh to stinky, different types of cheeses require different storage methods. In general, rewrap your cheese in parchment paper and then cover it in plastic wrap. Be sure to keep it in the vegetable drawer. Excess hard or shredded cheeses can be frozen for up to six months. 🧈 Butter is safe kept at room temperature for one to two days, but to preserve the flavor, keep it refrigerated when not using. Salt adds more than just taste to butter; it also acts as a preservative, so salted butter lasts longer than unsalted. You can also freeze butter, which is a great way to stock up for later use. 🍦Keep your ice cream in the main part of the freezer rather than the door, where temperatures fluctuate. Always tightly seal the lid and avoid letting it soften and refreeze multiple times to maintain its creamy goodness. Whatever dairy products you enjoy, do it safely. When you do, it’s like thanking our Cooperative of family dairy farmers and dedicated employees across the country who care deeply about delivering delicious, wholesome and safe dairy products to your table.

Big things happened in the nation's capital last week! We’re #DFAProud to have participated in the 46th Annual National Black MBA Association Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C., where the theme of AFFIRM highlighted the ongoing commitment to empowering Black professionals. With around 20 DFA team members from HR, IT, communications, legal, and logistics, we were honored to meet so many talented individuals and share the exciting full-time and internship opportunities DFA offers. At our booth, we connected with professionals from across industries, discussing how our farmer-owned cooperative plays a critical role in feeding the world. DFA was also proud to sponsor the #AFFIRM24 Career Success Network, where we offered resume feedback and mock interviews to help candidates take the next step in their professional journey. DFA is committed to building strong teams and broadening diverse perspectives to make us stronger. Who helped get you started on your career journey? Let us know in the comments!