IDFA Recognizes Five Federal Officials for Exceptional Support of U.S. Dairy at Annual Holiday Celebration

IDFA Recognizes Five Federal Officials for Exceptional Support of U.S. Dairy at Annual Holiday Celebration

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2025-The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized five distinguished individuals with the IDFA Leadership Award for their exceptional contributions to U.S. food, nutrition and agricultural policymaking and their strong support of the U.S. dairy industry. The awards were presented at IDFA's annual Celebration of Dairy event, held this evening at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

This year's awardees are:

• U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
• U.S. Representative Tony Wied (R-Wisconsin)
• Kyle Diamantas, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Program, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Julie Callahan, PhD, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and Nominee, Chief Agricultural Negotiator
• Kailee Tkacz Buller, Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The IDFA Leadership Award is presented annually to members of Congress and agency officials who have shown outstanding leadership in support of U.S. dairy policy priorities.

"IDFA and our members across the dairy supply chain are proud to present the IDFA Leadership Award to five public servants whose thoughtful leadership continues to strengthen the U.S. dairy industry. Their efforts to advance sound policy that supports nutrition for Americans, encourages innovation, and fosters meaningful collaboration across government and industry have made a real difference for dairy farmers, processors, and consumers alike," said IDFA President and CEO, Michael Dykes. "As a result of their commitment, millions of Americans benefit from reliable access to nutritious, affordable dairy products, and U.S. dairy remains well-positioned for long-term success and growth at home and abroad. We are grateful for their dedication to public service and are honored to recognize their important contributions to the vitality of U.S. dairy across our country."

This year's Celebration of Dairy brought together members of Congress, key congressional staff, officials from the Trump Administration, representatives from trading partner nations, and leaders from the food and agriculture sectors. Attendees enjoyed an impressive array of gourmet dairy products from IDFA member companies, including cheeses, eggnog, ice cream, and butter boards, contributed by:

• BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.
• Agri-Mark, Inc./Cabot Creamery
• Emmi Roth USA
• Grande Cheese Company
• Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc.
• Hilmar
• HP Hood LLC
• The Ice Cream Club, Inc.
• Kerrygold
• Lactalis USA
• Minerva Dairy
• Norseland, Inc.
• Sartori Company
• Schuman Cheese
• Tillamook County Creamery Association
• Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.

This annual event and award underscore IDFA's commitment to recognizing public servants who champion the dairy industry's role in enhancing nutrition, fostering innovation, and creating economic opportunity.

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Contact: [email protected]

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.