The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.
The dairy checkoff is returning to Natural Products Expo West to highlight the innovation and nutritional benefits of dairy to more than 65,000 industry professionals, investors and leaders from consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and retail companies.
Dairy farmers and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) team members will showcase new dairy products and lead an educational session titled “What Women Really Want: Cracking the Code for Food and Beverages,” offering insights on how dairy can meet the modern health and wellness needs of women.
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) will join DMI in presenting a cohesive “Innovate with U.S. Dairy” approach. The event, recognized as the country’s leading trade show for the natural, organic and healthy products industry, runs March 4-7 in Anaheim, Calif.
DMI attended Expo West for the first time last year and represented dairy in a space where the industry previously had little presence.
“In the past, plant-based products dominated Expo West and dairy had less presence,” said Norrie Wilson, who serves as an innovation and insights consultant for DMI. “Dairy made its mark last year, with interest in innovation, which is driving distribution and investment. Retailers, CPG companies and investors are starting to take a second look at dairy, and this is accelerating growth in the marketplace.”
DMI’s booth will feature its successful partnership with General Mills in the development and launch of YoBark, a refrigerated snack that blends yogurt with Nature Valley granola in a convenient stand-up pouch and is available in retailers nationwide. This collaboration exemplifies DMI’s unique role in accelerating innovation, offering the checkoff’s expertise and resources to help brands deliver products that meet changing consumer needs.
Other DMI features at Expo West include:
- Alise Sjostrom, a Minnesota dairy farmer and CEO of Redhead Creamery, will participate in DMI’s educational session and provide premium cheese samples at the booth.
- DMI is featuring a company that makes low-carb, high-protein cheesecakes.
- Dairy farmers from DMI’s board of directors will be on-site to speak with attendees about their commitments to sustainable farming and animal care.
- CMAB will highlight new products, including milk-based energy shots, cheeses, kefir and gelato.
Marla Buerk, executive vice president of innovation for DMI, said Expo West provides an opportunity to stay informed of emerging trends where dairy can play a key role.
“Expo West is where trends emerge, and by having a strong dairy presence, we’re not just following trends but setting them,” she said. “There’s growing interest in products that target women’s health, and dairy is a key player in this space. We’re already seeing dairy products targeted toward women’s health and wellness, and it’s only going to grow.”
The natural and organics market is valued at $317 billion, according to Nutrition Business Journal’s 2023 State of Natural Report. Buerk said a goal of the DMI team, which will include product and nutrition scientists as well as marketing experts, is to remind attendees of dairy’s natural attributes.
“Our products are made with clean ingredients and real, high-quality dairy,” Buerk said. “At the end of the day, dairy is as natural as it gets, and people appreciate that and are seeking our delicious product samples at Expo West.”
Wilson added that in addition to seeing whey protein prominently featured in innovations across several categories, there is a shift toward products with functional ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics, adaptogens and nootropics to support everything from gut health to mood enhancement and cognitive function. These ingredients are becoming increasingly popular and are being incorporated into dairy products.
“We’re positioning dairy to be a trendsetter in health and wellness, and Expo West is the perfect place to showcase this,” Wilson said. “We’re making sure dairy has a strong voice in the conversation happening at Expo West, and dairy is here to stay.”
For more information about how the dairy checkoff is driving sales and building trust, visit www.dairycheckoff.com.
About Dairy Management Inc.
Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by over 26,000 dairy farmers and dairy importers. DMI manages the national checkoff program and collaborates with state and regional checkoff teams across the United States to boost domestic and global dairy sales through research, education, and marketing initiatives. The checkoff also focuses on fostering consumer trust in dairy products and the farm families behind them. DMI manages the National Dairy Council and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Newtrient, and GENYOUth.
