IDFA continues to demonstrate that the dairy industry has a powerful economic impact – $628 billion in total – on the American economy. Dairy also indirectly supports unique industries, and the mission of famous figures across the nation, like Santa Claus and the gifts that make Christmas possible for families across America.

Of course, children leave milk and eggnog out for Santa, but they also leave cookies. The American dairy industry supports more than 380 full-time equivalent jobs in the country’s cookie and cracker bakeries.

Plus, Santa and the elves are not the only ones helping the toy industry. America’s dairy companies, and the people who work for them as well as supplier firms, purchase enough toys every year to create another 95 jobs.

All told, the dairy industry creates over $32.1 million in wages and $170.4 million in economic impact for the cookie and toy industries that are critical to the holiday season.

Dairy Delivers®

IDFA is sharing these deep dives into the data of Dairy Delivers®, its economic impact tool, to demonstrate dairy’s economic power and its ripple effect on other American industries.

Access IDFA’s Dairy Delivers® here.

Members with questions may contact Dave Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs, at dcarlin@idfa.org.