J. David Carlin

Improving access to nutritious dairy products for the most vulnerable

The HFMIP program is an innovative way to encourage low-income families to increase their dairy consumption.

June 10, 2022

For decades, the federal government has worked to ensure all Americans are “food secure,” which simply means that everyone — regardless of economic circumstances — should have enough food to eat.

Two ways Congress could help alleviate trucking challenges

IDFA urges passage of the DRIVE-Safe Act and an increase in the federal interstate gross vehicle weight limit.

J. David Carlin

February 24, 2022

IDFA urges passage of the DRIVE-Safe Act and an increase in the federal interstate gross vehicle weight limit.

Federal child nutrition programs need common-sense changes

The dairy industry is urging policymakers to make five specific changes to ensure the nutritional benefits of dairy are more accessible to children and families participating in these programs.

J. David Carlin

August 13, 2021

Congress is expected to take up legislation this fall to reauthorize federal child nutrition programs, including the school meals programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”), which provides nutritious foods to supplement the diets of low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age 5.

Dairy plays key role in nutrition assistance programs

IDFA has encouraged USDA to continue purchasing dairy products for distribution to needy Americans through existing federal nutrition pathways.

J. David Carlin

May 24, 2021

Congress recently passed COVID-19-relief legislation that includes significant resources to help USDA provide nutritious food to families in need through the remainder of the pandemic. This has resulted in the creation of new food distribution programs, as well as changes to existing ones.

Top-of-mind policy issues for dairy processors

IDFA’s legislative affairs team will be working on a number of policy-related priorities for 2021.

J. David Carlin

February 23, 2021

With a new administration and Congress now in place, policymakers at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are beginning to focus on policy issues important to the dairy industry.

Funding priorities for dairy are top of mind

IDFA is working to ensure the final federal funding package includes all of the industry’s appropriations priorities.

J. David Carlin

August 28, 2020

As the federal government's fiscal year draws to a close, Congress is still trying to pass legislation to fund federal agencies after Sept. 30, including those that administer programs that are vital to the dairy industry.

USMCA is coming, but barriers to US dairy exports remain

J. David Carlin

June 5, 2020

After three years of negotiations, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will take effect on July 1. The U.S. dairy industry achieved its top two goals for USMCA, preserving our trade relationships in Mexico, our top export market, and reducing Canadian barriers to imported U.S. dairy products.

Impeachment: Will it Sink USMCA efforts?

Congress must look past politics and focus on getting this deal done

J. David Carlin

December 6, 2019

By anyone's measure, the impeachment process now unfolding in the U.S. Congress is making it more difficult to achieve legislative victories, even on issues that have support from both political parties.

The case for increased accessibility of dairy products

The dairy industry is urging policymakers to make four common-sense changes to benefit children, families participating in government-funded nutrition programs.

J. David Carlin

September 5, 2019

This fall, Congress will consider legislation to reauthorize federal child nutrition programs, including the school meals programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

Ratifying USMCA is critical to U.S. dairy’s future

Swift ratification of the trade agreement is critical to the industry’s future

J. David Carlin

June 5, 2019

Members of Congress will soon be asked to vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Swift ratification of this trade agreement by the House of Representatives and the Senate is critical to the future of the U.S. dairy industry.