2023 September Board Book

Multi-Strategies Activities

Small Plant Feasibility Study As follow-up to this activity, staff and consultants met with leadership of Chico State and were asked to help prepare a proposal for the university for a “Farmstead Creamery and Farm Store Project” to serve as small scale manufacturing facility and educational hub for dairy processing, to be presented Q4 2023. Staff and CDIC SteerCo also met with Fresno State Creamery personnel to discuss plans for pilot plant upgrades.

Innovation Grants for Industry

The Pacific Coast Coalition released the second round of grants to processors in California and the region. A third round of grants totaling $300,000 is available in dairy processing innovation grants. Applications opened August 1, and are due September 29. Grant winners and applications information available at: https://www.dairypcc.net/

Industry meetings and Consultations

CDIC staff visited several processors in June-August and presented at the California Creamery Operators Association Annual meeting in June 2023. The meeting was attended by >150 industry representatives. CDIC staff is conducting a series of 1-on-1

consultations with all industry and academic members of the Steering Committee to start the development of its 2024-2026 Strategic and Business Plan and ensure alignment with processors’ needs.

Product, Process and Packaging Innovation Mini -Conference & Workshop September 7, 2023, Fresno State

CDIC in partnership with the Pacific Coast Coalition held its first mini-conference and workshop at Fresno State. The one-day event

featured presentations on dairy foods market trends, innovations in products, process and packaging. Projects funded by CDIC, and student interns were presented. The conference also featured career opportunities offered by the dairy processing sector, with presentations by California Dairies, Hilmar Cheese Company, Leprino Foods, Dairy Farmers of America and Lactalis USA.