VERNON-In an Oct. 25 event held at the Miller Farm, an organic dairy farm in Vernon, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt announced the launch of the Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) program, allocating $15 million to expand access to organic dairy products in educational institutions and youth programs.
Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the program will increase consumption of organic dairy products among children and young adults while creating new opportunities for small- and mid-sized organic dairy producers.
Four national Dairy Business Innovation Centers, including the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) in Vermont, will each be granted $3.75 million to facilitate the new program.
"Expanding access to a variety of organic dairy products in schools and community programs promotes healthy consumption habits and strengthens local dairy markets," said Moffitt in a news release.
"These funds will provide the catalytic opportunity for organic dairy to be served in new settings across the region, showing that it is possible to bring locally produced dairy into schools, universities, and other child-focused settings," said Laura Ginsburg, dairy strategy and innovation manager for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.
The Miller Farm hosted the announcement, as well as Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, and Ginsburg.
Ginsburg leads the NE-DBIC, which, along with the three other DBICs at the University of California, Fresno; University of Tennessee; and the University of Wisconsin, will fulfill key program objectives, including:
• Increasing domestic consumption of organic dairy products among children and young adults.
• Diversifying dairy products offered in learning institutions and at other youth and young adult focused program sites.
• Building partnerships with, and networks of, businesses involved in organic dairy product production and the distribution of organic dairy products within the lead organization's region, which aligns with their DBI service area.
"These investments will help grow our farm economy while supporting those who love dairy," said Tebbetts. "We are grateful to have these dollars from USDA so more can enjoy milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt."
The Northeast dairy industry, which consists of multi-generational family farms, "is a critical part of our agricultural economy in the region," Randle said. "Today's announcement provides new marketing channels for farms, the ability to cultivate greater connections with local schools and institutions and educate and foster connections with consumers to their local farms."
The lead organizations will develop region-specific projects to distribute organic dairy products to K–12 schools, colleges and universities, and other youth and young adult focused programs and institutions.
Lead organizations may also sub-award funds for procurement to dairy businesses, educational institutions including K–12 schools and colleges and universities, or other organizations with industry expertise to implement the program.
For more information, visit the AMS Organic Dairy Product Promotion program webpage at ams.usda.gov/selling-food/odpp.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.