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Kroger, Leprino Foods and Smith Dairy ProductsNamed 2008 GRAND Pioneers

(Naples, Fla. — April 28, 2008) The Kroger Co., Leprino Foods Company and Smith Dairy Products Co. were named the 2008 recipients of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) GRAND Pioneer Awards at the association's board of directors' meeting today in Naples, Fla. The GRAND recognition program honors three member companies — one each from the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the International Ice Cream Association (IICA) and the National Cheese Institute (NCI) — for their political involvement activities on priority dairy issues.

IDFA's Grass Roots Action Network for Dairy (GRAND) program helps member companies to learn about priority dairy issues and build relationships with their legislators.

"It's important that IDFA members get the recognition they deserve for their efforts on behalf of the industry," said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president. "The GRAND Pioneer Award is an excellent way to highlight their involvement, and we congratulate this year's winners."

By setting advocacy as a top priority, these companies have made a major impact on legislative issues, at both the state and federal levels, this year.

"Smith Dairy Products and Kroger have been very active on the state level, working against attempts to impose onerous product labeling requirements for dairy products. Leprino has worked diligently at the federal level on the industry's core Farm Bill priorities," said Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO. "These winners demonstrate that no matter how small or how large the company, you and your employees can be heard in Washington and in state capitals around the country."

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 530 companies representing a $100-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI), and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85% of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. IDFA can be found online at www.idfa.org