At the recent annual Farm Aid benefit event in Camden, N.J., Horizon Organic honored one of the company's family farmer partners, Scott and Traci Laing of Potsdam, N.Y. with the first annual HOPE Award.

Darigold and Wilcox in the Pacific Northwest, and Dallas-based Schepps Dairy are among the dairies that are now saying "no" to rBST.

Despite recently petitioned evidence of higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, Britain's Food Standards Agency (FSA) concluded last month that organic milk does not provide significant health benefits over conventional.

Plans are being laid for the construction of another huge California cheese plant. American Dairy Parks, LLC, has set up a subsidiary, Blue Ribbon Cheese Company, which expects to break ground early next year on a $225 million plant to be located within 60 miles of Fresno. It would be operational by 2009.

Honoring Romania's past while meeting the demands of the present, a small cheesemaker, LaDorna, produces a sheeps milk cheese, using traditional methods in a thoroughly modern plant.

PARIS-Stonyfield Europe has introduced a new line of organic yogurt products under the auspices of the newly-created Stonyfield France.

New Zealand and the European Union have reached an interim arrangement to allow their disputed butter trade to resume but have been unable to agree on a long-term settlement.

A unique joint effort of Norse Dairy Systems (NDS) and Virginia Dare Extract Co. Inc., will offer a real taste treat to thousands of attendees at the new Process Expo, Oct. 29 through Nov. 2 in Chicago. NDS and Virginia Dare have teamed up to present "Winning Combinations," a variety of new, frozen desserts.

The European Commission has given its blessing to a planned joint venture between Lactalis and Nestle.

HP Hood has inked an agreement with Boston Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp to serve as a spokesman. Hood will work with Crisp for a variety of promotional and advertising opportunities in support of the company's products and charitable programs.