Goat Milk

A dairy farm located in Plato is making strides in strengthening family farming by supplying raw milk. This initiative not only supports the local economy but also fortifies the connection between milk producers and community consumers.

The farm’s approach emphasizes the importance of raw milk, which is gaining popularity among consumers seeking natural and less processed dairy options. By focusing on family farming, the farm aims to preserve traditional dairy farming methods while enhancing the local food system.

Plato Dairy’s operations are contributing to the sustainability of local agriculture, ensuring that small-scale farmers remain competitive in the market. The farm’s efforts are seen as a model for other regions looking to promote similar agricultural practices.

The move to highlight raw milk and family farming aligns with a broader trend in the agricultural sector toward more transparent and community-oriented food production systems. This approach is gaining traction as consumers become increasingly interested in the origins of their food and the processes involved in its production.

By maintaining direct connections with consumers, the farm not only ensures the quality of its products but also builds trust and loyalty within the community. This model of operation could serve as an example for other dairy farms seeking to enhance their local presence and sustainability.

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From British farm-led dairies to international cheese specialists, the exhibitor list reflects both the resilience and evolution of the category at a time of heightened sustainability scrutiny and retail pressure.

A strong line-up of dairy and cheese producers will feature at IFE 2026 (International Food & Drink Event), as more than 20 dairy-relevant brands prepare to showcase at Excel London from 30 March to 01 April.

UK producer Blackmore Vale Dairy will present its range of cultured dairy and cheese products, while The Ethical Dairy and Jersey Dairy underline the continued importance of provenance, farming standards and animal welfare in driving premium positioning.

International cheese producers are also well represented. Quesos Corcuera will showcase traditional Spanish cheeses including Manchego, while Italian exhibitor Calzetti brings its portfolio of DOP cheese products and cheese creams for retail and foodservice. From Argentina, Establecimientos San Ignacio will present its cheese and dairy specialities, and Polish dairy group MLEKOVITA adds further scale to the sourcing mix.

Together, the line-up highlights the breadth of opportunity across speciality, export and private label supply, but also a sector navigating structural change.

Alongside sourcing, IFE’s content programme will provide strategic context for dairy producers assessing how to balance commercial performance with sustainability commitments and evolving consumer expectations.

Sustainability and the planetary health debate

Few conversations are more central to dairy’s long-term positioning than the debate around sustainable diets. Mike Barry, Co-Founder of Planeatry Alliance, will explore how planetary health diet principles can be embedded into mainstream food systems.

“IFE is one of the key food gatherings each year to anticipate what’s next in our dynamic, fast-moving sector. It’s a great platform to explore the integration of the principles of a planetary health diet (PHD) – one that’s delicious, exciting and great value for money whilst delivering much better health, environment and justice outcomes – into our sector.”

Barry will focus on practical action across product development and supply chains. “We’ll be focusing not just on the imperative for adopting planetary health diet (PHD) principles across our sector but also the practical steps we need to take – from NPD, sourcing and manufacturing to a food environment that enables better choices to be made – to make a PHD reality for the mass market.”

For dairy producers working to reduce emissions, invest in regenerative farming and respond to retailer sustainability frameworks, the emphasis on implementation rather than rhetoric is likely to resonate.

Retail recalibration

At the same time, supermarket strategy continues to reshape the dairy fixture. Bryan Roberts, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, will examine the trends and pressures facing grocery decision-makers.

“It’s always a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest trends impacting the whole of food and drink consumption.” He adds: “The session will provide a concise exploration of the trends, pressures and opportunities keeping supermarket bosses awake at night. The grocery retail market has never been tougher, but, equally, there are some exhilarating opportunities for growth and recalibration.”

For cheese and dairy suppliers, that recalibration may include fixture rationalisation, premiumisation in speciality formats and continued scrutiny on price architecture.

Consumer resilience and evolving demand

Looking ahead, Mintel’s 2026 Food and Drink Predictions will provide insight into how consumer expectations are shifting under ongoing economic uncertainty.

Alice Pilkington, Associate Principal at Mintel, comments: “Mintel’s 2026 Food and Drink Predictions highlight opportunities for food and drink brands to strengthen consumers’ resolve to endure adversity now and in the years ahead. They discuss how consumers will look to food and drink to help them persevere and indeed thrive through times of ongoing uncertainty.

“During the session, we will explain why food and drink brands will place a bigger focus on consumers’ evolving nutritional needs, and also their changed attitudes towards both nostalgia and multisensory features, over the years ahead.”

For dairy, this points to continued opportunity in protein-rich formats, comfort-led cheese innovation, and premium sensory experiences rooted in heritage and authenticity.

A category in transition

With confirmed dairy cheese exhibitors spanning the UK, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Poland, IFE 2026 demonstrates that global appetite for dairy sourcing remains strong.

At the same time, the show’s content programme acknowledges the strategic questions facing the sector: how to align with sustainable diet frameworks, how to navigate retailer recalibration, and how to meet changing nutritional and emotional needs.

For cheese and dairy producers, IFE 2026 offers not only access to buyers, but insight into the forces shaping the next phase of category growth. Find out more on IFE site.

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The U.S. dairy industry is grappling with severe labor shortages, which are exacerbating economic challenges for dairy farms. Large dairy operations are finding it increasingly difficult to hire enough workers, a situation that is contributing to a broader labor crisis within the sector.

One of the key issues facing the industry is the ongoing consolidation of dairy farms. As smaller farms struggle to compete, they are often absorbed by larger operations or forced to shut down. This trend is partly driven by persistently low milk prices, which have made it difficult for many farms to remain profitable.

According to industry reports, the shortage of labor is not only a result of demographic changes but also linked to the demanding nature of dairy work, which requires long hours and physical exertion. Many potential workers are opting for jobs in other sectors that offer better pay and working conditions.

The implications of these challenges extend beyond the dairy farms themselves. Rural communities that rely on dairy farming for economic stability are facing uncertainties. As farms consolidate or close, local economies can suffer from reduced employment opportunities and decreased economic activity.

Efforts to address these issues have included calls for policy changes, such as improving labor mobility and offering incentives to attract workers to the dairy industry. However, these solutions face hurdles, including political and economic constraints.

Future Outlook

While the industry seeks ways to mitigate these challenges, the combination of labor shortages, economic pressures, and consolidation is likely to continue shaping the future of U.S. dairy production. Stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for measures that will provide relief and ensure the sustainability of dairy farming in the United States.

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