With control of Congress passing to the Democrats, changes are taking place on key food industry related committees. Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte will step down as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

YORK, Pa.-The Rutter’s companies recently presented two checks totaling $10,000 to The Four Diamonds Fund which provides support to families whose children are being treated for cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa.

Tillamook County Creamery Association released a unique featured ice cream flavor recently-Tillamook Pumpkin. The cheesemaker, which also does a good deal of regional ice cream business, calls it a perfect combination of creamy pumpkin puree flavored ice cream with hints of spice and molasses throughout.

The establishment of a new Global Dairy Forum was announced at the recent International Dairy Federation summit. The organization aims to co-ordinate research and promotions to improve the image of dairy foods.

Boulder Ice Cream, a local all-natural ice cream maker in Boulder, Colo., has just moved into a brand new, environmentally-friendly facility with nearly triple the floor space and more than 10 times the capacity of its old digs.

Central Point, Ore.-Rogue Creamery is the first American cheese company to be awarded an Innovation in Excellence award at the prestigious SIAL trade show in Paris. The Creamery has also become the first American artisan cheese company to be certified by the European Union and the first Raw Milk Cheese to be imported into the EU.

Space at Worldwide Food Expo 2007 is more than 75% sold out with the end of the initial “priority” sales period, according to IDFA and the show’s other sponsors.

After Ben & Jerry’s was purchased by Unilever in 1999, cofounder Ben Cohen distanced himself from his former company. At one point a few years ago he was even openly critical of the company, saying Unilever had done little to foster the unique, altruistic corporate culture that had become as well-known as Chunky Monkey.

Saputo’s second quarter consolidated revenue of $881 million (USD), was down $36.7 million compared to last year. The drop was attributed to the lower cheese prices in the U.S. Dairy Sector. Net earnings were $58.3 million up $3.1 million for the period.

Bravo! Brands has signed a licensing agreement with Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools (CROPP) to license its brand, Organic Valley, for a new line of organic fluid milk products. The initial agreement will involve the production of organic shelf stable 1% low-fat milk.