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IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2024
Dairy actors around the world have been actively engaged over the years in improving the farming and processing of milk and dairy foods. The 3rd annual IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are designed to demonstrate the engagement and dynamism of the dairy sector worldwide, offering a unique platform to showcase innovative processes, practices and products that improve efficiency and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The awards will open for entries in February and will run until June 2024. Winners will be announced in a Special Plenary Session on innovation at the IDF World Dairy Summit.
About
Hosted by the IDF in partnership with international food and drinks consultancy Zenith Global, with Headline sponsorship from world-leading food processing and packaging solutions company, Tetra Pak.
Dairy actors around the world have been actively engaged over the years in improving the farming and processing of milk and dairy foods.
The 3rd annual IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are designed to encourage and celebrate innovative practices across the dairy sector and their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In the context of these awards, innovation is defined as a process or product that improves efficiency.
The awards will open for entries on 21 February and run until 14 June 2024.
Winners will be announced on 18 October in an Special Plenary Session on innovation at the IDF World Dairy Summit in Paris, France.
Download the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2024 Entry Guidelines here.
BENEFITS OF ENTERING THE AWARDS
The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards demonstrate the engagement and dynamism of the dairy industry worldwide, offering a platform to showcase new innovators and their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The awards offer a great opportunity to:
- Gain recognition for your innovative and sustainable industry practices.
- Add credibility with buyers and investors, utilising your status as a finalist or winner.
- Receive international media attention, through the publication of finalists and winners through leading industry media.
- Help reinforce your position in the global dairy community.
- Build awareness of your operations, engaging consumers and other industry stakeholders.
- Share the news of your success with a dedicated announcement across the IDF’s social media platforms.
- Receive a comprehensive communications kit complete with press release, a digital logo package, certificate, and a trophy for winners.
- Presentation of your shortlisted product in a Special Plenary Session on innovation, attended by participants from the global dairy community at the IDF Dairy Summit in Paris, France on 18 October.
About IDF
Helping nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy
The IDF is the leading source of scientific and technical expertise for all stakeholders of the dairy chain. Since 1903, IDF has provided a mechanism for the dairy sector to reach global consensus on how to help feed the world with safe and sustainable dairy products. A recognized international authority in the development of science-based standards for the dairy sector, IDF has an important role to play in ensuring the right policies, standards, practices and regulations are in place to ensure the world’s dairy products are safe and sustainable. www.fil-idf.org
About Tetra Pak
Our promise, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD™," reflects our vision to commit to making food safe and available, everywhere.
Tetra Pak is a world leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries. With more than 25,000 employees around the world, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business.
Entry process
WHO CAN ENTER
Entry is open to IDF members as well as non-member individuals, including dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, dairy processors and dairy research operators, as well service and equipment companies for the dairy sector.
ENTRY COSTS
Entry to the awards is free for IDF members.
Please enter the promotional code shared by your National Committee Secretary when completing your registration. If you have misplaced this booking code, please get in touch directly with your National Committee Secretary who will share this with you.
Entry for non-members is €150 per category, or €90 with entry into multiple categories.
ENTRY PROCESS
There are two stages to the entry process.
1. Simply click 'Enter Now', and select the categories and products you wish to enter and then fill out your personal details.
If you are an IDF member, please ensure you enter the promotional code shared by your National Committee Secretary.
If you are not an IDF member, a link for payment will be shared with you following completion of your entry form.
2. Once we have received your application, a member of the awards team will be in touch to share the entry questionnaire with you for completion and offer support with your submission.
What is required?
For each category entry you will be required to:
- Complete an entry questionnaire, demonstrating why your innovation deserves to win in its category.
- Share two high-resolution product images.
Entry submissions should be sent by email to awards@zenithglobal.com.
Download the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2024 Entry Guidelines here.
Categories
CATEGORIES
Entries will be invited in ten awards categories, focusing on sustainable and community-led initiatives as well as new product development:
- Innovation in sustainable farming practices:
- Environment
- Animal care
- Socio-economic
- Innovation in sustainable processing
- Innovation in sustainable packaging
- Innovation in new product development:
- Dairy product with focus on human nutrition
- Food safety equipment
- Innovation in women empowerment in the dairy sector
- Innovation in climate action
- Innovation in marketing & communication initiative building dairy category
Entrants may participate in multiple categories, as appropriate.
Download the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2024 Entry Guidelines here.
ENTRY CRITERIA BY CATEGORY
Innovation in sustainable farming practices (A) environment
This category is to recognise new/game changing ideas, concepts, methods or processes that improve sustainability and impact positively on the dairy sector.
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What is your innovation and why does it deserve to win in this category?
- How does this innovation improve efficiency or reduce cost, water, soil, energy use and emissions?
- How does your innovation contribute to national and industry programmes?
- Does this innovation have the potential to be applied to the wider industry?
- How does your innovation contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals? Specify which goal(s).
- How does this innovation contribute to increasing engagement with dairy farmers and milk/dairy foods?
Innovation in sustainable farming practices (B) socio-economic
This category is to recognise new/game changing ideas, concepts, methods or processes that improve sustainability and impact positively on the dairy sector.
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What is your innovation and why does it deserve to win in this category?
- How does this innovation improve efficiency or livelihood, or how does it have a positive impact on the community?
- How does your innovation contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals? Specify which goal(s).
- How does this innovation contribute to increasing engagement with dairy farmers and milk/dairy foods?
Innovation in sustainable farming practices (C) animal care
This category is to recognise new/game changing ideas, concepts, methods or processes that improve sustainability and impact positively on the dairy sector.
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What is your innovation and why does it deserve to win in this category?
- How does this innovation improve animal health and welfare?
- How does your innovation contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals? Specify which goal(s).
- How does this innovation contribute to increasing engagement with dairy farmers and milk/dairy foods?
Innovation in sustainable processing:
This category is to recognise new/game changing ideas, concepts, methods, processes that improve sustainability and impact positively on the dairy sector. The innovation can be on any aspects of sustainability: environment, socio-economic, animal health & wellness or nutrition & health.
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What is your innovation and why does it deserve to win in this category?
- How does this innovation improve efficiency or reduce cost, water, energy use and emissions?
- How does your innovation contribute to national and industry programmes?
- How does your innovation contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
- Does this innovation have the potential to be applied to the wider industry?
- How does this innovation contribute to increasing engagement with dairy industry
Innovation in sustainable packaging
This category is to recognise new/game changing ideas in packaging design and production to minimise environmental impact
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What is your innovation and why does it deserve to win in this category?
- To what extent does your innovation save on materials, reduce emissions, improve consumer experience, extend product shelf life, simplify storage and distribution, contribute to recycling or the use of recycled content?
- Does this innovation have the potential to be applied to the wider industry?
- How does your innovation contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Innovation in new product development a) dairy product with focus on human nutrition
This category is to recognise the development of new products with a focus on human nutrition – an essential area of the IDF’s programme of work
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What is your innovation in new product development?
- How does your new product development contribute to human nutrition?
- In what ways did you incorporate these objectives in the development process?
- How have you measured the impact of your new product development on food safety and consumer nutrition?
- What scientific assessments were utilised to ensure this?
Innovation in new product development b) food safety equipment
This category is to recognise the development of new products with a focus on food safety equipment – an essential area of the IDF’s programme of work
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What is your innovation in new product development?
- How does your new product development contribute to food safety?
- In what ways did you incorporate these objectives in the development process?
- How have you measured the impact of your new product development on food safety and consumer nutrition?
- What scientific assessments were utilised to ensure this?
Innovation in women empowerment in the dairy sector
This category is to highlight female leadership in the dairy value chain, through the development of specific initiatives and programmes designed to support this
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What specific initiatives or programmes has your organisation developed to enhance female leadership and the empowerment of women within the dairy sector?
- In what ways have these initiatives or programmes contributed to women empowerment in the dairy sector and female leadership?
- Can you provide metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) to illustrate the impact of such measures?
Innovation in climate action
This category is in line with the sector engagement with the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero Initiative and is to recognise concrete practices that help to meet the initiative’s goals.
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions?
- What is your innovation and why does it deserve to win in this category?
- How does this innovation improve operational efficiency, reduce green-house-gas emissions and/or contribute to improving the overall environment?
- How does your innovation contribute to national and industry targets and programmes?
- Note: This innovation could be either in dairy production or in processing.
Innovation in marketing & communication initiative building dairy category
This category seeks to award value generation for the dairy category through specific marketing and communication strategies and campaigns
In your entry, you will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What recent marketing and communication strategy or campaign have you recently launched to promote the dairy category?
- What were its main objectives?
- What channels did you utilise to ensure visibility and reach?
- What were the highlights of this strategy or campaign?
- How effective has your strategy or campaign been in adding value? Please share metrics or key performance indicators to illustrate this
Judges
Jamie Jonker, Ph.D
IDF Governance & Chair of the Science and Programme Coordination Committee
Jamie is Chair of the Science and Programme Coordination Committee, elected as Chair of the SPCC in 2020, and former Chair of the: IDF Standing Committee on Farm Management and Expert Group on Animal Feeding...
Joyce Munini Mutua
Dairy Technologist, Chief Dairy Development Officer at Kenya Dairy Board
Joyce is a dairy expert whose 20 years of experience in management, training, and advisory services in private- and public-sector roles have greatly contributed to the growth of Kenya’s dairy industry.
Piercristiano Brazzale
IDF President and Chair of the Board of Directors. IDF Governance.
Piercristiano is President and Chair of the Board of Directors of IDF since November 2020.
Piercristiano Brazzale has also been involved in various IDF’s committees and initiatives for the last decade and he is a well-known figure in the global dairy community, mostly due to the important private activity he has developed alongside his institutional engagement at IDF for the last 30 years. Mr. Brazzale is currently Vice-president of the Brazzale Moravia Dairy Group and Co-CEO of Brazzale Dairy Company Group, Italy’s oldest dairy company, with investments in Italy, Czech Republic, China and Brazil. His family company has been producing top quality cheese for at least eight generations, a tradition Mr. Brazzale has successfully honoured during his professional career.
Richard Walton
Meiji Co., Ltd. Marketing
Richard is General Manager in the R&D Division of Meiji Co., Ltd. He has extensive experience in R&D related to dairy, functional foods, and medical foods and is responsible for international research collaborations and information technology.
Marilyn Hershey
Chair, Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), and Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer
Marilyn’s leadership in the dairy industry is built on collaboration and helping to guide the plan to build sales and trust in dairy among today’s consumers.
• Chair of Dairy Management, Inc.
• Member of the American Dairy Association Northeast Board of Directors and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program
• A recent appointment as Chair, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers (USFRA)
Marilyn willingly opens her farm to tours and media members, proudly sharing her commitment to environmental stewardship and the many practices that reduce dairy’s carbon footprint.
She has represented the dairy industry at key events, including the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit and sessions hosted by the World Farmers Organization and Solutions from the Land where she summarized the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative, the industry’s environmental stewardship goals and the technologies and upcycling practices she implements on her farm. Her story has reached hundreds of global thought leaders.
In 2017, Marilyn was recognized as World Dairy Expo’s Dairy Woman of the Year, and in 2018 Corteva Agriscience on International Day of Rural Women recognized her as one of 10 women from around the world for their leadership in agriculture. Marilyn also writes a regular column for Hoard’s Dairyman.
Thanawat Tiensin
Director, Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
Mr Thanawat Tiensin holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Sciences in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kasetsart University in Thailand.
In 1999, Mr Tiensin joined the Department of Livestock Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Bangkok, where he held positions of increasing responsibility, in particular as Veterinary Officer and Technical Assistant to the Director General, Senior Veterinary Officer, Head of International Livestock Trade and Regulation Group, Senior Expert in International Livestock Affairs and Assistant Director General for International Affairs. From 2002 to 2003, he worked at the Office of Agricultural Affairs, the Mission of Thailand to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. Since 2008, he has held an international consultancy position with FAO, IAEA, EU, and ABD being responsible for Epidemiology, Disease Surveillance, Animal Health, Food Security, Livestock Emergency Response, Risk Analysis, Livelihood Rehabilitation, Dairy Development, International Livestock Trade and SPS Measure in Bangladesh, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
Since 2018, Mr Tiensin had been serving as Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Rome-based Agencies (FAO/IFAD/WFP) in the Office of Agricultural Affairs of the Royal Thai Embassy based in Rome, Italy. He also served in several FAO Governing Bodies and Committees such as Chair of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), Chair of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), Vice Chair of the FAO Conference and Council, Vice Chair of the Committee of Agriculture (COAG), etc.
Caroline Emond
IDF Governance
Caroline Emond was appointed Director General of the International Dairy Federation in February 2018.
Patricia Stroup
Chief Procurement Officer at Nestlé
R. S. Sodhi
President Indian Dairy Association, Chairman NIFTEM T, Ex Board Member International Dairy Federation
Diarmuid Sheehan
Principle Research Officer at Teagasc
Key dates
ENTRY DATES
The awards will open for entries on 21 February and run until 1 June 2024. Please note, all entries must be received by 14 June 2024.
FINALISTS ANNOUNCEMENT
Once all judges have submitted their feedback and scores, all points will be counted and verified. Entrants and finalists will be notified by the end of July.
WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT
Winners will be announced on 18 October in a Special Plenary Session on innovation at the IDF World Dairy Summit in Paris, France.
Contact
CONTACT
If you have a query about the awards, please get in touch
t +44 (0)1225 327900 e awards@zenithglobal.com
2023 Winners
The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2023 were announced at a ceremony that took place at the IDF World Dairy Summit in Chicago, US. Those awardees present at the event received their awards in person and gave acceptance words to an audience of dairy experts and leaders. Those awardees who were not able to attend in person sent videos of acceptance that were showcased during the ceremony.
The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards is an International Dairy Federation initiative designed to celebrate and encourage innovative practices across the global dairy sector, which was launched in 2022 in partnership with Zenith Global and supported by headline sponsorship from Tetra Pak.
The Winners
Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Environment
- Bioret Agri – Aqualim Thermodynamic
- Dairy Australia – Environmental Tracker
Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Animal Care
- FaunaTech – FaunaTech
Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Socio-Economic
- Danone - Transforming the Food System by Empowering Algerian Smallholder Farmers
Innovation in Sustainable Processing
- Hochschule Hanover - Development of a RO-NF-UF membrane cascade to concentrate skim milk to a dry matter of > 48%
Innovation in Marketing & Communication Initiative Building Dairy Category
- Dairy Farmers of Canada – We’re In
Innovation in New Product Development With Focus on Food Safety and Consumer Nutrition
- Unison Process Solutions – Heist System
- Yili Group Ltd – Ambient Cheese Lollipop
Innovation in Sustainable Packaging
- Yili Group Ltd - Declaring Your Love to the Earth with Actions - SATINE Environmentally Sustainable Packaging with No Ink or Printing
Innovation in Women Empowerment in the Dairy Sector
- Shreeja Milk – Shreeja Milk
Innovation in Climate Action
- Lactanet and Semex, Canada
2023 Finalists
The finalists for the 2023 IDF Dairy Innovation Awards have been published on 26 July. The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards are hosted by the International Dairy Federation in partnership with world-leading food and drinks consultancy Zenith Global, with Headline sponsorship from Tetra Pak – a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions company.
The Finalists
Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Environment
- Bioret Agri – Aqualim Thermodynamic
- Dairy Australia – Farm Environmental Tracker
- Dairy Farmers of Canada – Lactanet Semex
Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Animal Care
- FaunaTech – FaunaTech
- Maahi Milk Producer Company Limited – Maahi Milk Producer Company Limited
- Mileutis - Imilac
Innovation in Sustainable Farming Practices – Socio-Economic
- Dairibord Zimbabwe – Dairibord Cascase Baobab Dairy Fruit Juice
- Danone - Transforming the Food System by Empowering Algerian Smallholder Farmers
- U.S. Dairy Export Council - Hillcrest
Innovation in Sustainable Processing
- EnviroChemie GmbH – Holistic and sustainable solutions for energy and water management in the dairy industry
- Hochschule Hanover - Development of a RO-NF-UF membrane cascade to concentrate skim milk to a dry matter of > 48%
- U.S. Dairy Export Council – Milk Specialities Global
Innovation in Sustainable Packaging
- Mengniu Dairy Company Limited – Carbon reduction and environmental protection packaging demonstration: Youyi C bottle label free packaging
- Société des Produits Nestlé S.A - Société des Produits Nestlé S.A
- Yili Group Ltd - Declaring Your Love to the Earth with Actions - SATINE Environmentally Sustainable Packaging with No Ink or Printing
Innovation in New Product Development With Focus on Food Safety and Consumer Nutrition
- Beijing Sanyuan Foods Co. Ltd – Beijing Sanyuan Foods Co. Ltd
- Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd – FatScan Milk Analyser
- Unison Process Solutions – Heist System
- Yili Group Ltd – Ambient Cheese Lollipop
- Yili Group Ltd – Cheese Bomb
Innovation in Women Empowerment in the Dairy Sector
- Asha Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited – Asha Mahila Milk Producer Company Limited
- Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd - A unique model of Women Empowerment through Education and Skill Development
- Shreeja Milk – Shreeja Milk
- Yili Group – Empowering female quality managers and showcasing female leadership in the dairy industry
Innovation in Climate Action
- Amul Dairy – Amul Dairy
- Dairy Farmers of Canada – Lactanet and Semex
- National Dairy Development Board - Dung based circular economy for sustainable dairy production
Innovation in Marketing & Communication Initiative Building Dairy Category
- AHDB - AHDB
- CNIEL – CNIEL
- Dairy Farmers of Canada – Daisy
- Dairy Farmers of Canada – We’re In