Executives from scores of IDFA member companies met with congressional leaders and staff last Wednesday and Thursday – the same time that the 2008 Farm Bill was finally enacted – to thank them for making the dairy forward contracting program permanent, to promote the nutritional value of milk for our nation's school kids, and to continue a dialogue on the need to reform federal milk pricing policies. The executives were in town to attend IDFA's annual Washington Conference and the 26th Annual Ice Cream Party on Capitol Hill.

Addressing attendees at the Insiders Breakfast last Thursday, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) said he was pleased that the Farm Bill was completed and acknowledged the efforts and contributions of IDFA leadership to the development of the dairy provisions in the bill. Also during the breakfast, Commissioner of Food and Drugs Andrew von Eschenbach outlined his vision for improving the safety of the food supply chain in a global marketplace.

While in Washington, the attendees had additional opportunities to meet with top officials from U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as legislators from their home states.

IDFA would like to thank the sponsors who helped to make last week's Washington Conference and Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party such a success. IDFA staff members offered more than 1,600 gallons of ice cream, frozen yogurt and sherbet topped with 44 cases of sundae syrups to thousands of congressional leaders, their families and staff at this year's party. Click here to see the list of sponsors.