CULTIVATE

The second day began with Michael Dykes, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, who underscored the economic significance of the U.S. dairy industry. According to Dykes, the sector contributes $793 billion annually to the national economy and supports more than 3.3 million Jobs. He positioned dairy as a nutritional asset and called for expanded trade access, particularly in Asian and Latin American markets.

Susan Morris, Executive Vice President of Albertsons, spoke to the evolving role of retailers in promoting public health and food accessibility. She detailed Albertsons’ investments in digital transformation and supply chain resilience, as well as pilot programs that integrate food prescriptions with in-store discounts. Morris also emphasized the critical Importance of federal nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC, which she noted are increasingly under threat.

A particularly thought-provoking session was led by Julle Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods. Smolyansky shared the story of kefir, a fermented dairy beverage with origins in Eastern Europe, and its scientifically supported benefits for gut and mental health. Lifeway’s product innovations-including lactose-free and collagen-infused kefir-are aligned with growing consumer interest in functional nutrition. Smolyansky also introduced the company’s initiative to develop a “middle-ground” dairy certification, aimed at bridging the gap between conventional and organic standards. in soil health, local food infrastructure, and transparent communication with consumers.