The inauguration Northeast Dairy Innovation Competition is now accepting applications, providing an opportunity for value-added dairy producers to bring their innovations to market.
Produced by Cornell's Center for Regional Economic Development (CREA) in collaboration with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center, the competition supports food innovators in launching products made from dairy ingredients produced in the North East. Finalists and winners will gain access to funding and resources as they compete for a total of $365,000 in prizes.
“This competition responds to a growing demand for innovative dairy products that reflect consumers' preference for high-quality ingredients and positions the Northeast dairy community as a leader in entrepreneurship,” said Sam Alcaine, MS '07, NDFRC director and associate professor of food science. in CALS.
Supported by a $1 million grant from the USDA's Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), the competition gives dairy entrepreneurs, including those producing products on organic and small farms, access to business and technical support. Participants will receive early stage incubation assistance from world-renowned faculty in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and CALS Department of Food Science, access to Food Processing and Development Laboratory (FDPL), industry guidance and training.
“The competition provides a springboard into entrepreneurship for people who are passionate about meeting the needs of customers with high-quality dairy products,” said Jenn Smith, CREA's director of food and agriculture startup programs. “Thanks to the support from NE-DBIC, we are providing the resources needed to grow and scale their dairy businesses.”
Along with access to Cornell's facilities and faculty, finalists will receive $20,000. Winners will receive an additional $55,000 and an appearance at the Dairy Innovation Showcase in 2023 Grow-NY Summit in upstate New York.
The competition is open to all food innovators, including small and organic farms, non-profits and dairy cooperatives, located in the United States that use or commit to use milk and/or dairy ingredients produced at dairies in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont in their production.
Applications close at 5 p.m. ET on March 31.
Lauren Simpson is marketing and communications coordinator for the Center for Regional Economic Progress.
