WASHINGTON — The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) opened the nomination process for its annual industry awards, which celebrate top dairy leaders and companies.

The four awards are the IDFA Laureate Award, the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award, and the IDFA Workplace of the Year Award. Dairy Processing once again is co-sponsoring the Workplace of the Year, which debuted this past year.

As outlined by IDFA, the 2025 Workplace of the Year distinction will go to “an outstanding IDFA member company that has implemented policies to promote a positive workplace experience for employees.”

Additionally, the award-winner will be recognized for efforts that support women and minorities, as well as emphasizing cultures of inclusiveness and respect, supporting professional development, and establishing gender pay equity, paid parental leave and flexible work hours.

The winning company – it must be an IDFA member dairy processor, gold business partner or business partner – will be selected by a third-party panel of industry professionals.

Companies may apply for the Workplace of the Year online through the IDFA website. Schreiber Foods became the first company to win the honor earlier this year. The deadline for all award submissions is Oct. 25.

IDFA’s Laureate Award goes to “an outstanding leader whose career has significantly impacted the dairy industry’s growth and development.” Nominees may come from any part of the dairy industry, including suppliers and academia. IDFA said the award winner will be chosen based on overall career achievements.

In 2025, IDFA’s Food Safety Leadership Award will go to a company – the honor alternates between companies and individuals each year. To win the award, a company or group must process, manufacture, market or distribute dairy products in North America and demonstrate “outstanding leadership and significant contributions to the field of food safety within the dairy foods industry.”

The Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year is co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Herd Management magazine. IDFA said it is seeking nominations from active US dairy farms that embrace “innovation, technology and industry partnerships to achieve greater productivity and growth.”

The award winners will be announced and recognized at Dairy Forum 2025 in San Antonio. Further information regarding the awards is available online at IDFA’s website.