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What is a
co-op?
What does DFA do?
Why was DFA created?
What was the primary consolidation goal?
What are some of the benefits of being a cooperative
member?
What kinds of products does DFA produce?
Does DFA market products with other organizations?
By definition, a cooperative is formed as an enterprise or organization, jointly owned or managed by those who use its facilities or services.
DFA represents more than 18,000 producer-members who have chosen to market their milk through DFA.
DFA was created as a brand new milk marketing cooperative organization that combines the resources, talents, leadership, markets, technology and vision of four leading dairy cooperatives. Consolidation was recommended on the basis of two important objectives that were critical to business vitality: 1) enhancing long-term profitability, and 2) securing long-term stable markets for milk.
The boards' goal was to create a new farmer cooperative, national in scope, that is committed to marketing member milk, providing member services in a cost-efficient manner, and building domestic and international opportunities that increase returns to dairy farmer-members.
A cooperative can provide its dairy farmer members cost effective marketing and movement of milk, global market opportunities, access to branded and value-added markets, expanded product manufacturing capabilities, access to a wider range of services and programs, greater long-term value and returns, unity to dairy farmers nationwide, and research and development.
DFA operates manufacturing plants producing a variety of dairy products including: American and Italian cheeses, cultured dairy products, coffee creamers, in-can sterilized infant and adult nutrition products; dehydrated products; nonfat dry milk; dried whey products; ground, shredded and diced cheeses; long shelf-life dairy products; and cheese sauces.
Yes. DFA participates in joint ventures with some of the nation's top processors that serve fluid milk and dairy product markets. Joint ventures include: Hiland Dairy Foods, Roberts Dairy, Wilcox Farms, and Stremick Heritage Foods, all involved in fluid milk bottling and distribution. DairiConcepts, Quality Milk, and Dairy.com are other DFA affiliates that serve other segments of the wholesale and retail cheese and dairy markets.