"USDA Launches $15 Million Program to Promote Organic Dairy Products in Schools and Youth Programs"

VERNON, Vt., Oct. 28, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced the launch of the Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) program, allocating $15 million to expand access to organic dairy products in educational institutions and youth programs. The initiative was announced today by USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt during a visit to Vermont. Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the program will increase consumption of organic dairy products among children and young adults while creating new opportunities for small and mid-sized organic dairy producers.

“Expanding access to a variety of organic dairy products in schools and community programs promotes healthy consumption habits and strengthens local dairy markets,” said Under Secretary Moffitt. “Announcing the Organic Dairy Product Promotion program during National Farm to School Month is yet another way to celebrate USDA’s commitment to connecting producers to new, local markets and providing youth with healthy, fresh dairy products from nearby farms.”

Through the program, AMS will enter into cooperative agreements with four lead organizations: the University of California, Fresno; University of Tennessee; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets; and University of Wisconsin. Each of these organizations currently leads one of the four Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives and, therefore, is uniquely positioned to implement the ODDP program. Key program objectives include:

• Increasing domestic consumption of organic dairy products among children and young adults.
• Diversifying dairy products offered in learning institutions and at other youth and young adult focused program sites.
• Building partnerships with, and networks of, businesses involved in organic dairy product production and the distribution of organic dairy products within the lead organization’s region, which aligns with their DBI service area.

The lead organizations will develop region-specific projects to distribute organic dairy products to K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and other youth and young adult focused programs and institutions. Lead organizations may also subaward funds for procurement to dairy businesses, educational institutions including K-12 schools and colleges/universities, or other organizations with industry expertise to implement the program.

For more information on program, visit the AMS Organic Dairy Product Promotion program webpage.