Life Takes, Oakhurst Gives
Oakhurst Dairy honored its pledge again last year to give 10% of its pre-tax profits to help children and protect the environment.

As the 300,000 square ft. Southwest Cheese Plant, Clovis, N.M., phases in production this year, it will have a major impact on the local milk supply, and one that will ripple across the entire southwest region, according to a local news source.

More than 120 ice cream industry professionals gathered in Scottsdale, Ariz., last month to discuss technology, and honor the most exciting new ideas and one of the most respected industry veterans.

Organic Valley Family of Farms was recently presented the Earth Trustee Award by the Earth Society Foundation, an organization founded by Margaret Mead and John McConnell in 1976 to foster environmental projects that promote clean land, air and water.

A photo caption in an article on page 41 of the March issue of Dairy Foods misidentified the company whose plant was depicted. The correct company is Cypress Grove Chevre, Arcata, Calif.

New York City-Central Park's famous Tavern on the Green was the venue of choice for Wells' Dairy Inc.'s East Coast coming out celebration of Blue Bunny® ice cream products. Based in Le Mars, Iowa, Wells Blue Bunny ice cream products have only been available on the East Coast through Wal-Mart stores.

Perhaps more than any year since the 1990s acquisitions race, 2006 has started out with a bang in terms of buyouts of dairy and cheese companies.

USDA's announcement that it had confirmed a third case of mad cow disease in the U.S. has triggered new pressure on federal regulators to tighten animal feed rules. Consumers Union, a major consumer organization, charged the government has been dragging its feet for two years.

Nutrinova, Somerset, N.J., has compiled an overview of its high intensity sweetener, Sunett® (Acesulfame potassium), aimed at providing flavorists guidelines on how to incorporate its sweetener into various applications. A free copy of the booklet is available by emailing Denise Reed at Nutrinova (deniser@nutrinova-na.com).

The American Dairy Products Institute and the American Butter Institute will hold their 2006 Annual Conference April 30 - May 3 at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago.