Next Monday, Danone North America will host the fifth annual dairy forum in Philadelphia. This marks the 75th year of the company in the U.S. under its flagship Dannon brand. Steeped in America’s history, the suburbs and surrounding areas of Philadelphia are home to many of the family farms that supply Danone North America with the milk used to make their dairy products. The forum brings together farmers from across the U.S. with expertise in organic, non-GMO, grass-fed, and conventional practices in order to share, learn, and connect with one another.
Farmers will convene October 22 to 24 from as nearby as Philadelphia’s surroundings to as far west as California.
“We look forward to the dairy forum every year because it gives us the opportunity to convene and spend time with our farmers, who are at the heart of our business. People care about where their food comes from, how it was grown, how it arrived in their hands, how the employees who helped make it are treated, and how foods impact their health and the future of the planet. Working with farmers, which we do daily, enables us to provide the transparency that is important to them as they make choices about what food and beverages they will buy to nourish their families,” said Mariano Lozano, CEO of Danone North America.
The forum agenda also features: learning sessions, an update on the role of the supplier for B Corp Certification, a farmer panel featuring farmers specializing in organic, grass-fed and non-GMO practices with representation from different regions, an update on soil health, a talk on the history and future of capitalism.
In addition to these honors, Danone North America awarded eight recipients with 2018 HOPE Scholarships, a program that encourages young people to pursue careers in organic or sustainable agriculture, and/or large animal veterinary science. During the past 11 years, the HOPE Scholarship program has gifted nearly $128,000 to 46 college students pursuing a degree in agriculture and related fields.
“We have been partners with Danone North America since 2014 and have been coming to the annual forum since year one,” said Trent Stoller, Owner and Farm Operations Manager, GreenTop Acres. “Each year, we come away inspired by the chance we have to not only connect with colleagues and industry experts, but by how accessible and transparent the company is. In this relationship, Danone North America’s unwavering commitment to our farm has unquestionably helped us become better farmers, and solidify our business by celebrating our successes as well as allowing us to evolve as we continue to learn.”
