The Dairy Blog

I had a great visit with Cheryl Hayn last week.  She is the Chief Executive Officer of SUDIA (Southeast United Dairy Industry Association).  SUDIA is an organization that is funded by dairy farmers in the Southeastern United States.  They are affiliated with the American Dairy Association and the National Dairy Council. Their strategic purpose is to drive increased sales of and demand for U. S. dairy products and ingredients.  They have been very helpful in doing research that gives us (Mayfield) information on products and packages that can help us provide products that consumers want.

            One area they have been very helpful in is school milk.  Due to some research they have done and some research the Milk Mustache folks (MilkPEP) have done, we introduced a small plastic bottle for schools last year.  And, this year we changed the graphics on our paper milk carton to a camouflage pattern that the kids think is “cool.”  SUDIA was responsible for the research on plastic packaging.  The result has been great.  It is just like when we introduced the Chug_® back in 1995.  Back then our pint sales soared.  Similar results are taking place in schools.

            Once schools systems put plastic half pints in their cafeteria plan, we typically see increased consumption.  It is interesting because the first increase in consumption is noticed by the cafeteria staff when they take out the trash.  They can tell that the milk containers are empty whereas before it appeared that students were not consuming the milk that was automatically placed on their tray as a part of the lunch program.  The next change that is noticed is a slight increase in extra milks purchased.  Lastly, the cafeteria experiences an increase in total participation.

            Increased participation by our children in school food programs is very important.  It is important because the meals are very nutritious.  The school cafeterias do an excellent job of providing balanced, tasty and nutritious meals.  There is strong research supporting the positive impact breakfast and lunch have on the education of our children.  We need to tip our hats to the folks who feed our children in our school systems.  If you want a great meal, go visit your child at lunch.

            Cheryl explained that SUDIA was continuing to do research to help the dairy industry find more ways to make milk a part of more meals for children and adults alike.  They will be developing partnerships with companies like ours to seek ways to utilize the findings of this research.  They will be giving us more tools to convince people than “milk does a body good.”  And, it does!