The warm receptions I've received are a reflection of your approach and desire to grow your business one relationship at a time. I've enjoyed learning about the visions you have for the future of the dairy industry and the goals of your organizations.

What a whirlwind year! I've attended a host of dairy industry events and enjoyed meeting numerous processors, association staff members and suppliers. The warm receptions I've received are a reflection of your approach and desire to grow your business one relationship at a time. I've enjoyed learning about the visions you have for the future of the dairy industry and the goals of your organizations. I'm also taken by the amount of interest, support and enthusiasm expressed for the continued success of Dairy Foods as we enter our 105th year in print.

And I'm thrilled to tell you that this is an exciting year for Dairy Foods, as the publication has recently become the highest circulated trade magazine among dairy processors. Keeping new subscribers and a legion of loyal readers well informed is a responsibility that all involved with Dairy Foods take seriously. We continue to analyze and report on technologies, trends and industry issues through in-depth special features, lively columns and expert technical articles.

And in keeping with the editorial mission of providing innovative ideas, Dairy Foods' 2004 editorial calendar is bigger and better than ever. It's been expanded and broadened to include a minimum of 22 new feature articles and topics-all of them authored by a team of experts with numerous years in the dairy industry. That's not something every trade magazine can boast! We do so proudly.

Dairy Foods has also partnered with Mintel International Group. Mintel's Global New Products Database monitors worldwide product innovation, and Dairy Foods magazine is honored to be able to provide you with their unrivalled monthly coverage of global new product activity.

Speaking of international dairy products, Dairy Foods' October 2004 issue will be dedicated entirely to the international dairy industry. Editors will examine the state of global marketing, international packaging, European process equipment, trends in probiotic cultures, ingredients to develop dairy desserts and, of course, exclusive in-depth insight on technologies that provide overseas dairy plants with a competitive edge.

I used the word edge, and I want to reiterate that Dairy Foods magazine, which includes unparalleled industry editorial coverage and advertisements from the leading dairy industry players, promises to give you an edge in the dairy marketplace.

Indeed, this year, the Ingredient Technology section has been expanded and divided in order to provide readers more information. Every month you will learn about the latest developments in ingredients and product development, as well as what's on the forefront in the wellness and organic sector. This critical pillar in Dairy Foods is managed by Product Development Editor Donna Berry, who, by the way, recently celebrated 10 years of writing for Dairy Foods.

Besides staying on the forefront of formulating and marketing of new dairy foods, Donna speaks at many industry events around the country, with a full slate scheduled for the first quarter of this year. Hopefully you will have a chance to hear her insights and perspective on this dynamic industry. If so, please congratulate Donna on her 10-year anniversary. This is a rare milestone in today's publishing world.

Let me wrap up with the scoop on what you will find in this issue.

Chief Editor David Phillips covers the latest on cheesemaking equipment, material handling and multi-packs. You'll also find Dairy Foods' annual Supplier Capabilities Spotlight, where we provide our rapidly-growing list of advertisers the opportunity to communicate beyond their traditional advertising message and shed more light on the details of their businesses. In conjunction with this, Dairy Foods recognizes the recipients of the International Dairy Foods Association's Supplier Excellence Award with a story profiling the winners. Congratulations!

In our ingredient feature, suppliers discuss today's fastest growing dairy foods category: Low-carb formulations.

Finally, all of us at Dairy Foods wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year