Dairy Foods on Jan. 26 presented the 2025 Processor of the Year award to Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, during IDFA Dairy Forum in Palm Desert, Calif. 

During his prepared remarks, Dairy Foods Editor Brian Berk applauded Lifeway’s efforts, which go way beyond its product sales. These incredible efforts include a $10,000 donation to help California wildfire victims; ringing the closing bell at the NASDAQ financial market; the introduction of National Kefir Day; the proposal of a voluntary dairy certification standard; a drone show over Lake Michigan to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year; the sponsorship of NASCAR driver Josh Bilicki; and the return of its Basics Plus line of kefir and colostrum supplement shots, plus much more.

We congratulate Lifeway on this great honor.