The Odds were in Dairy’s Favor this Week in Vegas

Two trade shows ran simultaneously this week in Las Vegas. The NACS show is for the convenience store industry while SupplySide West is all about ingredients for better-for-you foods and supplements. I attended both, and am pleased to report that at both expos, dairy was a star. 

At SupplySide West, whey protein suppliers showcased their treasures in everything from nutritional beverages to popcorn. Texturant and sweetener suppliers showcased their ingredients in dairy applications, everything from no-sugar-added chocolate milk to a cultured dairy dessert. It’s a good time to be an innovator in the dairy industry...the possibilities are endless. 

Fluid milk and dairy-based beverages were abundant at NACS.
(To read a recent article of mine in Food Business News entitled “Innovation in face of fluid milk decline,” link HERE.)

Organic Valley was in full force at NACS with its Organic Fuel and Organic Balance Milk Protein Shakes, which were first introduced at Expo West in March 2014. Both beverage concepts are shelf-stable and packaged in plastic bottles. They both come in chocolate and vanilla varieties.

Organic Fuel is positioned as a recovery shake and comes packed with 26 grams of high-quality milk protein. Organic filtered skim milk is the primary ingredient, with each 11-ounce bottle containing 260 calories and 6 grams of fat.

Organic Balance contains 190 calories and 15 grams. For more information on Organic Balance, link HERE.

Both drinks include the lactase enzyme to make them lactose free.

The Campbell Soup Company was really talking up its V8 Protein Shakes, which blend juice from sweet potatoes and yellow carrots with five different sources of protein, including milk protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate, whole grain brown rice protein concentrate and quinoa flour. To read more, link HERE.


Nestlé was drawing quite the crowd with its Limited-Edition Nesquik Girl Scout Cookie Beverage line. As part of a licensing relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA, Nestlé Nesquik now offers new Nesquik Girl Scouts Thin Mints and Nesquik Girl Scouts Caramel Coconut flavors. The limited-edition product is on store shelves now and retails for $1.99. These new Nesquik low-fat chocolate milk beverages combine low-fat chocolate milk with two of the most popular Girl Scout Cookie flavors to create a delicious on-the-go beverage perfectly suited for c-stores.

There were a few more very impressive single-serve milk concepts that debuted at the show and they will be featured very soon as a Daily Dose of Dairy. Stay tuned.