While in his home district during the congressional recess, Representative Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) stopped by International Dairy Queen last week to tour the company’s Franchise Support Center in Edina, Minn. Paulsen met with company representatives and sampled several kinds of Blizzard treats, including his favorite, the Heath Blizzard.

“We were delighted to host Representative Paulsen,” said Corrinne Colombo Reed, vice president – Dairy Products Division for American Dairy Queen Corporation. “The visit allowed us to showcase not only our delicious products, but also the important contributions our business makes to the local and state economy.”

Paulsen is a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, which is the chief tax writing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives tasked with framing the nation's economic, health care and trade policy.

Take Your Legislator to Work Month

As part of an amplified political programs effort this year, IDFA challenged member companies to host at least one federal legislator or legislative staff member at each of their processing facilities during the month of August. IDFA termed the initiative “Take Your Legislator to Work Month.”

IDFA is always available to facilitate tours by putting members in touch with the appropriate staff for their legislators, securing tour dates and times, preparing a tour agenda and, if desired, providing talking points on key dairy issues. A typical plant tour lasts about an hour, covers the history and current function of the plant, allows opportunities for the legislators to meet plant employees and pose for photos and, when possible, sample product right off the line.

Through IDFA’s GrassRoots Action Network for Dairy (GRAND) program, members can find more information about Take Your Legislator to Work Month, how to set up plant tours or how to reach members of Congress. Visit the GRAND website at www.dairycounts.org or contact Ashley Burch, IDFA director of political programs, at (202) 220-3534 or aburch@idfa.org.