In an April 3 letter, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and 15 other food and beverage industry groups urged leaders in Congress to provide targeted financial aid to workers in the critical industries as they work to care for, feed and protect Americans through the coronavirus outbreak.

To help assist, inform and educate its members and the food and beverage industry in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Madison, Wis.-based International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) said it is releasing weekly updates with a specific focus on the bakery, dairy, deli meat, deli cheese and deli-prepared sectors.

Groups representing dairy cooperatives and farmers in the Midwest today urged the federal government to provide direct assistance to farmers and to expedite the purchase of additional dairy foods amid unprecedented disruptions in supply and demand due to the COVID-19 national emergency.

The coronavirus pandemic has food and beverage companies rethinking some everyday efforts.

Kansas City, Kan.-based Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) said Dean Foods Co., Dallas, accepted a revised bid from DFA on March 31 for a “large portion” of Dean Foods’ assets.

In a March 31 letter shared with the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) community, IDDBA President and CEO Michael J. Eardley announced the cancelation of the IDDBA 2020 show due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hart Dairy, the largest single-source producer of 100% free-range, grass-fed milk in America, announced a new partnership with Island Ventures, a supplier of specialty eggs.

The Institute of Food Technologists announced that it will transition the IFT20 Annual Event and Food Expo, slated for July 12-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago, to a virtual event experience.