The Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center (NEDFRC), a cooperative research and extension effort between Cornell University and the University of Vermont, began operating in 1988. The NEDFRC is one of six dairy product research centers across the country established by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, now known as Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI) in cooperation with universities and dairy food manufacturers. DMI and all its activities are supported by funds from the dairy farmers of America.

NEDFRC MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center (NEDFRC) is to conduct research and to work with the industry to implement results of research to maintain and increase utilization of milk produced on dairy farms in the United States and particularly the Northeast.

DAIRY CENTER OBJECTIVES

The centers primary objectives are as follows:

1. To conduct research to expand the knowledge base that will support the increased use and demand for dairy products.

2. To develop, coordinate and seek funding support for multi-disciplinary research programs and projects to meet the objectives of the National Research Plan for the purpose of disseminating the results of the dairy research to the dairy industry.

3. To develop and maintain information on dairy research being conducted in the United States of America and to disseminate this information to the dairy industry and dairy researchers.

4. To strive to attract visiting scholars from other public and private universities, governmental research agencies, and from private business and industries.

5. To coordinate activities pursuant to the National Project Plan with other centers funded by DMI to ensure that activities conducted by the centers are efficient and cost effective.

NEDFRC ADVISORY BOARD

The NEDFRC currently has twenty-nine members on it’s Advisory Board. Members include faculty from Cornell University and the University of Vermont, a DMI representative, New York State Milk Promotion Board Representatives, and Milk Promotion Services. The Board members review new research proposals prior to submission to DMI to give faculty additional feedback and comments to help strengthen their proposals. The NEDFRC Advisory Board also meet once a year to listen to progress presentations by faculty on current research projects funded by DMI and local funds.

RESEARCH PRIORITIES

1. Development of new and improvement of existing processing technologies that improve dairy food product quality, safety, or functionality.

2. Improving the safety of dairy foods and processing systems.

3. Modification of dairy product composition to ensure that dairy foods and ingredients remain a part of a healthy diet.