The USDA has launched the Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) program, allocating $15 million to increase access to organic dairy in U.S. schools and youth programs. Announced in Vermont, the initiative aims to boost organic dairy consumption among children and young adults while supporting small to mid-sized organic dairy producers. Through partnerships with four key organizations, the program will distribute organic dairy products to educational institutions and community programs across the country, strengthening local dairy markets and promoting healthy eating habits.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new $15 million program aimed at expanding access to organic dairy products for students and young adults across the country. Announced on November 5, 2024, by USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt during a visit to Vermont, the Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) program is set to increase organic dairy consumption in schools and youth programs, while also providing new opportunities for small and mid-sized organic dairy producers.
The initiative, funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and managed by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), seeks to foster healthy eating habits among children and young adults by offering organic dairy options in educational and community settings. Under Secretary Moffitt noted the program’s alignment with National Farm to School Month, saying, “Expanding access to a variety of organic dairy products in schools and community programs promotes healthy consumption habits and strengthens local dairy markets.”
The program will be implemented through partnerships with four lead organizations, each of which plays a significant role in the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives: the University of California, Fresno; University of Tennessee; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets; and University of Wisconsin. These organizations, chosen for their experience and networks in organic dairy innovation, will develop and oversee region-specific projects to supply organic dairy to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and youth programs within their respective areas.
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Objectives and Impact
The ODPP program aims to:
- Increase domestic consumption of organic dairy among youth.
- Diversify dairy products offered in schools and other youth-focused programs.
- Build partnerships and networks among organic dairy producers and distributors.
The initiative allows the lead organizations to create targeted projects for the procurement and distribution of organic dairy products to schools and youth institutions. Subawards may also be granted to local dairy businesses, educational institutions, and expert organizations, ensuring a regionally tailored approach to promoting organic dairy.
Building on USDA’s Organic Support Programs
The ODPP program is part of a larger USDA effort to support organic agriculture through initiatives like the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), a $300 million investment designed to assist farmers transitioning to organic practices. This initiative includes mentoring, direct farmer assistance, and market development grants, supporting producers at various stages of the organic transition process. Other USDA efforts include the Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) program, which has recently awarded $85 million to projects around the country to strengthen organic markets, and the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), providing mentorship and technical support to organic farmers.
About the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is dedicated to creating marketing opportunities for U.S. producers and ensuring the quality and availability of safe food products for both domestic and global markets. AMS administers programs that benefit U.S. farmers and ranchers, drive economic growth in rural communities, and support sustainable food systems through initiatives like ODPP.
