IDFA Opens Nominations for Annual Industry Awards to Honor Dairy Industry’s Top Leaders

WASHINGTON — The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for four top awards presented annually to leaders in the dairy industry. Nominations close Friday, Oct. 2. Winners will be announced and recognized at Dairy Forum 2027 in Orlando, Fla.

Nominations are open for the following awards:

• The IDFA Laureate Award
• The Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award
• The IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award
• The IDFA Workplace of the Year Award

The 2027 IDFA Laureate Award

The eighth annual IDFA Laureate Award honors an outstanding leader whose career has significantly impacted the dairy industry’s growth and development. Candidates from all segments of the dairy industry – milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products and ingredients – as well as suppliers and academia are eligible for the award. The awardee will be selected by a panel of industry professionals based on the nominee’s overall career achievements. The recipient will be recognized during Dairy Forum 2027.

2027 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award

The twenty-ninth annual Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Herd Management magazine. IDFA and Dairy Herd Management seek nominations of active U.S. dairy farms that have embraced innovation, technology and industry partnerships to achieve greater productivity and growth. Nominees will be evaluated based on their current practices and preparedness to meet future economic and business challenges. The winning operation will be highlighted in the January 2027 issue of Dairy Herd Management magazine and recognized during Dairy Forum 2027. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 2, 2026.

2027 IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award – A Company

Now in its eleventh year, the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award will honor a company or group that has demonstrated outstanding leadership toward enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry. The award, presented during Dairy Forum 2027, alternates annually between honoring companies or groups in odd years and individuals in even years. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 2, 2026. Additional details are here:

The winning group will be selected from an IDFA member company that processes, manufactures, markets, or distributes dairy products; a supplier that supports the food safety efforts of dairy processors in North America; or an IDFA-organized group of volunteers, such as a committee, task force or working group. Previous recipients are not eligible to be nominated.

2027 IDFA Workplace of the Year Award

The fourth annual Workplace of the Year award is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Processing magazine. The award will be given to an outstanding IDFA member company that has implemented policies to promote a positive workplace experience for employees. Award recipients will be recognized for their efforts to support women and minorities, create cultures of inclusiveness and respect, support professional development, established paid parental leave and flexible work hours and gender pay equality, among other criteria. The awardee will be chosen by a third-party panel of industry professionals who will review redacted nomination packages. A representative of the awardee company will be recognized during Dairy Forum 2027. The deadline for submitting nominations is Oct. 2, 2026.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in direct wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.