Retail and processor panel highlights milk's role in retail, legislator panel challenges dairy industry to reach out



panel membersTwo panel discussions were featured at the Joint Annual Partners Meeting of the Center for Dairy Excellence and Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania in December. The first panel featured a Dairy Townhall discussion with key agricultural leadership within the Pennsylvania General Assembly, while the second included representatives from the processing and retail industries to highlight evolving consumer expectations. More than 100 people attended the annual meeting, which was held to showcase how the center and center foundation are helping to forge dairy's future in Pennsylvania.

"We were very pleased to have PA Agriculture and Rural Affairs leadership participate in this event. Senators Elder Vogel and Judy Schwank representing the Pennsylvania Senate Ag Committee and Representatives Mike Carroll and Mark Keller representing the House Ag Committee provided an open forum for dialogue during the Dairy Townhall discussion," said John Frey, executive director of both the center and center foundation.

"The Town Hall approach to questions and discussion provided an excellent opportunity for meaningful exchange," he said "That allowed these legislative leaders to provide their perspective on key issues affecting dairy and how we can continue to strengthen our industry."

The legislative panel encouraged the audience to make their voice heard. "We as a legislature look at the whole infrastructure that supports the dairy farm and what we need to address within our state and through working with our federal leaders," said Senator Schwank, who is the Minority Chair of the Senate Ag Committee. "You as business people need to continue to look at those issues and keep us on our toes in terms of knowing where to pivot a piece of legislation to help address some of the issues that you face.

"Get on the boards where decisions are made," Schwank added. "How many of you are on the local conservation board or are township supervisors? You need to get involved because that is where some of those decisions are made where you can have a significant impact. We can also serve as an advocate if you are running into a sticky issue with a state agency."

The Consumer Expectations Panel included Andrea Karns representing Karns Food, Craig Faragelli from WaWa, Inc., and Maria Forry with Oregon Dairy Farm. Each shared their perspective on how they have seen the dairy case evolve and what has driven the changes that have occurred. Questions from the audience centered on new product, flavor and market opportunities, as well as consumer interest in local products and on-farm issues.

"The dairy category is one that we want to win as a retailer," said Karns. "Milk is a destination driver. It spurs customer shopping visits and customers expenditures. Additionally, on average 47 annual trips are made by a consumer to a grocery store to purchase milk. We want to be that grocery store where that milk is purchased."

Emerging trends identified by the panelists included farm-to-shelf, health and wellness, and flavor excitement. "Living in Pennsylvania, there are not a lot of opportunities to continuously offer a fresh, local product," Karns told the group. "However, dairy can capitalize on the truly awesome opportunity to tell your consumers that fifty-two weeks a year you are getting a fresh, local product."

Karns explained that farm owners should be using their farm fronts to remind consumers that "fresh, local milk is produced here. Anything you can do to remind consumers that, whenever they are going to a local grocery store, they are getting a fresh local product is important."

The Annual Partners Meeting also included a review of work completed in 2015 by both the Center for Dairy Excellence and Center Foundation. Those who would like to receive a copy of the Annual Summary for the two organizations can request one by contacting Melissa Anderson at 717-346-0849 or by emailing manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org.

Contributors to the Center's Allies for Advancement Program were recognized. Allies at the Gold, Silver and Bronze Levels for 2015 included The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, The Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association, AgChoice Farm Credit/Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit, Country Folks, Dairy Herd Management, Ephrata National Bank, Eastern Dairy Business, Farmshine, Lancaster Farming, Progressive Dairyman, Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers, Red Barn Consulting, Red Dale Ag Services, Inc., Agricultural Veterinary Associates, Binkley & Hurst, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Ephrata National Bank, Fulton Bank, Herbein & Company, Inc., Lancaster DHIA, Mount Joy Farmer Cooperative Association, MSC Business Services, National Penn Bank, Susquehanna Bank, TeamAg, Inc., and USA Gypsum, Inc.

Donors to the Center Foundation were also recognized. Those individuals and organizations contributing to the foundation at the Gold, Silver and Bronze Levels in 2015 included AgChoice Farm Credit, American Agriculturist Foundation, Mid Atlantic Dairy Association, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association, Shell Exploration & Production Company, Shell Oil Company, The Hershey Company, Kulp Family Dairy LLC, National Penn, Stanley & Janice Burkholder, James Van Blarcom, Mercer-Vu Farms Inc., Northwest Savings Bank, Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, Rohrer Dairy Farms, Steven Reinford and Weis Markets.

For more information about the Annual Partners Meeting, please contact Melissa Anderson at 717-346-0849 or by email at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
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1.27.2016