Chobani donates $1.5m to dairy research

US yoghurt giant Chobani has donated US$1.5 million to Cornell University to support and research workforce training in dairy quality.

“Today is an exciting day for Chobani, as we formalise and bolster our commitment to food innovation and quality,” said Chobani president and COO David Denholm.

“Cornell’s Department of Food Science is one of the leading programs of its kind in the world - a match to Chobani’s leading role in Greek yoghurt.”

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

“This partnership will strengthen the science behind New York’s dairy industry and help us better accomplish our land-grant mission to bring new information, technologies and a well-prepared workforce to this expansive industry,” said Kathryn J Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“Our goal is not only high-quality dairy products, but also economic growth in communities that need it the most.”