The dairy checkoff-funded 3-A-Day of Dairy program has announced a new partnership with WebMD® Health, the nation’s top online medical and health resource for the public and health professionals, to communicate the role of dairy products in weight loss and weight management. To kick off the program, WebMD is offering a free three-week trial to the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic. The clinic is an online, interactive program that offers dieters a comprehensive analysis of current eating habits, healthy and easy-to-follow meal plans, food journals to track progress against weight-loss goals and tips on how to maintain a healthy weight. The national dairy checkoff program is managed by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). For more information about DMI and the 3-A-Day program, visit www.dairyinfo.com.

York, Pa.-based Rutter’s Dairy recently awarded $750 to the art department at North Eastern Middle School in Manchester, Pa. In June, dairy president Todd Rutter presented the award to art teacher Gail Lenhart to help with the cost of hiring an artist to create a permanent sculpture for the school’s library.

In June, retailers across the country began featuring the “The Shape You Want to be In” promotion sponsored by the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP). The promotion is part of MilkPEP’s “24/24 Milk Your Diet. Lose Weight!” initiative that was launched in May to spread the word to consumers about the scientific link between milk and weight loss. In the “Shape” retail promotion, MilkPEP is partnering with Shape magazine to distribute about 13 million copies of a 24/24-themed weight loss guide that is free with any purchase of milk. The guide includes articles about milk, healthy living, weight loss and exercise tips from the magazine. In addition, the publication contains more than $300 in coupons and a mail-in offer for a “starter kit,” which includes an hourglass-shaped bottle to help consumers count up 24 ounces of milk each day. Because the promotion hinges on having the guides prominently displayed in stores, the magazines will be housed in their own “shipper,” a free-standing display. MilkPEP is also offering financial assistance to help with the installation of the displays.

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) kicked off its Wisconsin Cheese of the Month program this month with two special Wisconsin cheeses — feta and aged cheddar. Throughout July, participating cheese specialty stores and departments will feature either feta or aged cheddar, along with Wisconsin Cheese of the Month signage, samples of the cheese and helpful information including flavor descriptions and a delicious recipe. WMMB’s Cheese of the Month program is designed to introduce Wisconsin residents to a wider variety of Wisconsin cheeses each month.

The first-ever swim of the entire length of the Hudson River is being sponsored by Organic Valley Family of Farms, America’s leading organic farmers’ cooperative, as part of its ongoing effort to heighten awareness of the link between clean water and organic agriculture. Christopher Swain, 36, an award-winning clean water advocate and the father of two young children, will swim for 315 miles down the river through Class IV rapids, pesticides and raw sewage before stroking past Manhattan, around the Statue of Liberty and out into the Atlantic Ocean in late July.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) joined Garelick Farms for the Add Something Fun Tour at the 7th annual Dads Make a Difference Day on June 20. The tour supports and promotes the rewards of foster parenting, good nutrition and family entertainment. The free family fun included Gin C Productions and a team of fantasy face painters as well as the Garelick Farms Circus Cruiser complete with free samples and circus games. The tour, now in its third year, seeks to assist in foster care recruitment throughout New England by bringing a team of social workers and great family entertainment to some of the area’s finest family venues.

Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Carvel Corp., Atlanta, recently launched a new hand-dipped flavors and waffle-cone program as part of the company’s creative strategy to feature a wide variety of freshly made products that showcase the nostalgia and playfulness of the historic brand. Through the combined efforts of Carvel and the CFAC (Carvel Franchise Advisory Council), 13 new hand-dipped ice cream flavors and fresh-baked, hand-dipped waffle cones and bowls were created as part of the company’s overall brand revitalization efforts that recently included a dynamic new store prototype and resulted in record franchise sales to date. Since January, Carvel has granted 87 new franchise licenses and opened 27 new locations.

Anderson Erickson Dairy — Betsy Watson has been promoted to marketing director and Tamara Primus has been hired as marketing assistant for the Des Moines, Iowa-based company.

Gifford’s Ice Cream — Michael Brandt has joined the Skowhegan, Maine-based company as director of sales and marketing.

Land O’Lakes Inc. — Julie Tiatia and Dacia Jones have joined Arden Hills, Minn.-based company’s Ingredient Solutions division as national sales manager and sales manager, respectively. To support the division in meeting its goals, Dewey Wahlin has been appointed director of sales and marketing. Also, Mark Petchenik has joined the Land O’Lakes Foodservice team as corporate executive chef.

Southern Belle Dairy — Mike Chandler has been named president of the Somerset, Ky.-based company.

Invensys APV — Paul Knoerl has been promoted to sales director of APV projects, North America for the Schiller Park, Ill.-based company.

Master-Bilt — Lynn Burge has been promoted to advertising and promotions manager and Michael Alsman has been hired as product manager the New Albany, Miss.-based company.

Orion Packaging — Paul McCarthy has been appointed Northeast regional manager for the Collierville, Tenn.-based company.

Seaga Manufacturing Inc. — Vicki Toepfer has joined the accounting department of the Freeport, Ill.-based company.

World Water Works — Stuart Ward has joined the Elmsford, N.Y.–based company as vice president of West Coast sales and marketing.

ADM Cocoa — Kevin Powell has been appointed technical and food safety manager for the company’s production plant in Hull, United Kingdom.

TIC Gums — Scott Riefler has been named president of the Belcamp, Md.-based company.