Processor Handbook - Innovation Center for US Dairy

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QWho defined the vision
Through the Innovation Center producers, cooperatives,
processors, retailers and businesses have worked together —
pre-competitively — to find new ways to continue supplying
nutritious products that are responsibly produced and
economically viable.
This common commitment is collectively addressing the
challenges and capitalizing on opportunities that will contribute
to a resilient and sustainable 21st century food system.
The U.S. dairy industry’s dedication to production efficiency,
commitment to creating a sustainable future and its strong
belief in collaboration are the underpinnings of the Guide’s vision.
The U.S. dairy industry has achieved many accomplishments
over the years, but also recognizes there is room to do even
more across the dairy value chain.
Our definition of sustainability is: Providing
consumers with the nutritious dairy products they want,
in a way that makes the industry, people and the earth
economically, environmentally and socially better — now
and for future generations.
Goal to secure future
The Guide contains a set of Guiding Principles, which
expresses U.S. dairy’s values; topics that follow a triple
bottom line approach to sustainability with environmental,
social and economic categories and indicators and metrics
for tracking and demonstrating results and outcomes.
QHow was the Guide developed
As with dairy nutrition, the Guide uses sound science as
its foundation for building credibility, setting the record
straight on stewardship and identifying opportunities to
maximize performance while conserving natural resources.
Founded in science
The Guide is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
research studies conducted on behalf of the Innovation
Center from 2008 to 2012. These studies surveyed 536
dairy operations of varying size and structure in different
regions of the country to understand the environmental
impact created by dairies. The LCA, which follows worldrecognized
international standards, including ISO,
established an accurate baseline of U.S. dairy’s GHG and
water footprint from grass-to-glass. It also identified
opportunities for improvement from feed and milk
production through transport, processing, packaging and
distribution all the way to the consumer.
The results of this research have helped the dairy industry
define the most important topics and indicators to measure
what matters for processors and manufacturers.
Developed with partners
Industry-led stakeholder groups, a comprehensive
organizational structure and a transparent process
overseen by the Sustainability Council, were created to
collaboratively develop the Guide. The structure includes
checks and balances among several multi-stakeholder
groups, including the Council and the Innovation Center’s
Board of Directors. It also included a 30-day industry
consultation period. In the summer of 2013 a 60-day
consultation period will give stakeholders and others the
opportunity to provide additional feedback.
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