About Us

IDFA: Making a Difference for Dairy

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 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.

Mission & Values

IDFA Mission

IDFA advocates on behalf of America’s dairy industry to ensure our members have the tools and resources they need to innovate and thrive.

IDFA Values

At IDFA, people are our most important resource. We are committed to a positive work environment, individual and professional growth and excellence in all we do. Here are more details about IDFA’s four core values:

People: IDFA’s people are our most important resource, and we prioritize building and maintaining an inclusive team culture that is open, flexible and responsive to the needs of our people.

Members: IDFA is an inclusive membership organization that represents, engages and provides leadership and developmental opportunities for all segments of the growing dairy industry.

Relationships: Leading with integrity and offering our expertise and insight, IDFA fosters close working relationships with leaders in government, industry and academia.

Operational Excellence: IDFA is committed to creating a positive, solutions-oriented environment that rewards collaboration and continuous improvement in service to the current and future needs of our members.

Making a Difference

IDFA's strategic pillars—advocacy, regulatory and communications—work together to make a positive difference for the dairy industry and our consumers. Day to day, IDFA deploys a combination of issue advocacy, education and training, and network-building to deliver value to our members and the full dairy supply chain. IDFA coordinates and leads issues-driven campaigns at the federal and state levels to impact policy and regulation; we provide data and analysis to help dairy foods companies remain competitive and innovative in a dynamic business climate; we organize and host industry conferences to keep our members up to date on the latest trends in the industry; and we provide ongoing learning and training opportunities for dairy professionals. Those are just some of the ways IDFA is making a difference for dairy.

Learn more about IDFA Membership.