The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) hails the government’s January release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, which recommends three servings of lowfat or fat-free dairy products each day for Americans over age 8.

The new dairy recommendation was based on a report from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the government-appointed expert panel that studied the latest scientific research on nutrition during a yearlong process.

“The scientific research continues to build on the importance of dairy’s powerful nutrient package — especially in light of concerns about Americans not getting enough of certain key nutrients, many of which are found in milk and milk products,” says Clay Hough, IDFA senior vice president and general counsel. “We commend the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for their science-based recommendations on dairy in the new guidelines.”

While the previous edition of the dietary guidelines from 2000 encouraged people to eat two to three servings of dairy foods a day, in February 2004 the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science released new daily recommendations for several nutrients, including potassium. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee also referenced scientific data that showed that many Americans fall short on calcium, magnesium and vitamin A. Milk and milk products are among the best sources of these nutrients.

“Milk-product consumption has been associated with overall diet quality and adequacy of intake of many nutrients, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, riboflavin, vitamin A, folate and vitamin D,” the guidelines report states, noting that “milk and milk products provide more than 70 percent of the calcium consumed by Americans.”

The dairy foods group continues to be a critical building block in the nutritional guidance for all Americans because of its unique package of nutrients, says Hough. Calcium and potassium are two of the top nutrients of concern in Americans’ diets. Calcium is critical for keeping bones strong, and potassium regulates the body’s blood pressure and muscle activity

South Burlington, Vt.–based Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc.’s recipe for responsible business is now employing homeless teens in Portland. The company’s social philosophy is reaping benefits for the nonprofit New Avenues for Youth, which recently opened a Ben & Jerry’s retail store where every scoop will help employ homeless teens, The Oregonian reports. It’s the first PartnerShop collaboration in the Northwest and stretches New Avenues for Youth, an agency that serves homeless and at-risk youth, to learn the ways of the marketplace.

For New Avenues for Youth, the PartnerShop collaboration means revenue for the agency’s job-training program and employment opportunities for homeless teens. The store employs 11 part-time youngsters in New Avenue programs who are moving off the streets. The job is the “real world” test that starts with the basics: creating a resume and dressing for a job interview. The training continues inside the PartnerShop where workers meet weekly with managers to set goals and learn to manage their finances. Workers put 30 percent of their income into savings accounts.

The PartnerShop program started in 1985 and has grown to 12 stores nationwide (with two others in Europe) that are operated by nonprofit organizations. The company waives the $30,000 franchise fee and lends training and support to the nonprofit agencies that manage and staff the PartnerShops and use store profits for social programs.

This February, consumers celebrated Valentine’s Day by demonstrating their love for sweets and Wisconsin cheese. Havarti and mascarpone were the latest additions to the Cheese of the Month program, an initiative developed by the Madison, Wis.-based Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) to familiarize shoppers with a wider variety of Wisconsin cheeses. Specialty cheese stores throughout Wisconsin showcased the two selections and offered samples of the cheeses as well as serving tips, pairing suggestions and recipes made with each cheese. Folks could add a sweet touch to a traditional lunchtime favorite with WMMB’s recipe for Spiced Apple Grilled Wisconsin Havarti Sandwiches or surprise their valentine with delicious Sour Cream Brownies with Mascarpone Topping. For more information about the Wisconsin Cheese of the Month program, February’s recipes and a list of participating Wisconsin cheese specialty stores, visit WMMB’s Web site at www.wisdairy.com/cotm.