IDFA Showcases High-Quality Dairy Protein at All-American Meat Up

IDFA Showcases High-Quality Dairy Protein at All-American Meat Up

IDFA sponsorship and member-donated products help bring dairy's nutrition story directly to members of Congress, administration officials and their staff

WASHINGTON, September 18, 2026-The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) sponsored the All-American Meat Up at Nationals Park, joining partners from across the animal protein community to highlight for members of Congress, administration officials and their staffs the important role high-quality protein foods-including dairy-play in healthy diets.

IDFA members Sargento and Blue Bell Creameries donated products for the event, giving policymakers an opportunity to experience firsthand the taste, versatility and protein dairy foods can deliver. Sargento provided cheese curds fried in beef tallow, cheese slices for sliders and shredded cheese for hot dog and chili dog toppings. Blue Bell Creameries provided PRO pints, featuring 33 grams or more of protein per pint, for caterers to scoop and serve to guests.

Dairy has a particularly strong nutrition story to tell. The protein in milk, cheese and yogurt is high-quality and complete, but also highly digestible and efficiently used by the body, helping support functions including muscle growth, maintenance and repair.

"It is important that policymakers understand the unique nutrition dairy brings to the American diet, and protein is an important part of that story," said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. "The protein in milk, cheese, and yogurt is high-quality and complete, meaning it naturally provides all nine essential amino acids our bodies need but cannot make on their own. That makes dairy an easy, nutritious way for Americans to get the protein they need from foods they know, love and enjoy every day. We were proud to join our partners across the animal protein community to bring that message directly to policymakers and to showcase the innovation happening across dairy."

Held as part of the Meat Institute's inaugural Meat Week, the All-American Meat Up brought together leaders from across the food value chain to demonstrate industry unity and celebrate American agriculture

IDFA thanks Sargento and Blue Bell Creameries for their participation and for helping showcase the high-quality protein, innovation, nutrition and great taste that make dairy an essential part of the American food experience.

For more information about IDFA, please visit www.idfa.org.

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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 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.