Behind the Scenes

Butter for the masses

There’s new leadership at the helm of America’s butter interest. I didn’t even know there was a lobby group dedicated specifically to better butter, but indeed there is. The American Butter Institute (ABI) is headquartered in Arlington, VA. According to their website, the group protects and promotes the interests and welfare of the industry — for a members that accounts for 90% of all butter manufactured in the U.S.

The press release issued by ABI congratulates Jim Bleick of Graf Creamery, Zachow, Wisconsin as the new president. The ABI First Vice President is Rich Stammer of Agri-Mark in Methuen, Massechusetts, and ABI’s Second Vice President is Deborah Van Dyk of Schreiber Foods, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

ABI’s immediate past President, Clay Galarneau of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, was presented a plaque for his two years of leadership that ended with the selection of Bleick as the incoming president.