$1 5 M gift of Chobani supports dairy innovation

Newswise, ITHACA, New York - through the production of 692 million pounds of yogurt, New York surpassed California as the leading producer in the United States in 2012. A gift of $1.5 million from industry leader Chobani, a company based in new Berlin, N.y., will support research and training in dairy quality work force to help maintain the competitive advantage of New York.

"Today is an exciting day for Chobani - formalize and strengthen our commitment to food innovation and quality," said Chobani President and Chief Operating Officer David Denholm. "Cornell's Food Science Department is one of the leading programs of its kind in the world - a match for the role of Chobani Greek yogurt in."

The gift will benefit the dairy industry through staffing and training programs that support the quality dairy, leadership and innovation. The funding will be used to create opportunities on the site for teachers, students, and staff, which includes workshops of quality and food safety, as well as graduate student support initiatives of relevant research.

"This partnership will strengthen the science behind industry dairy and help us better achieve our land-grant mission to bring new information, technologies and a staff that is well prepared for this expansive industry, New York", said Kathryn J. Boor, Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of agriculture and life sciences. "Our goal is not only high quality dairy products, but also the economic growth in the communities that need it most."

Yogurt, including high-protein Greek yogurt, has become an economic power in the North of the State of New York, with New York firms now account for 70 percent of all sales of Greek yogurt. Founded in 2005, Chobani now has nearly 3,000 employees worldwide and sales of more than $1 trillion a year.