Umpqua Dairy’s Protein To Go Cottage Cheese has 22 grams of protein per container. The company markets it as being “packed with protein and calcium, our answer to fast food.” I wish that asterisk were a note on protein quality instead of rBST. Read more.
 

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) 2022 Annual Conference this past week in Chicago. There were more than 850 attendees from 21 different countries. The male-to-female ratio was about one-to-nine, which is a lot better from when I was a first-time attendee back in 1994. There had to be only about a dozen of us. 

Things change. 

“In the next 10 years, we are projected to experience more progress and change than in the past 100 years,” said Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc., and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, at the ADPI event. “Information will be shared at a faster rate, new data will be generated and shared, consumers will want to interact and get their products digitally, and expectations of industries and brands will change. This creates both issues and opportunities for U.S. dairy as we seek to earn a place for dairy foods and ingredients in homes and businesses around the world.”

Protein continues to be a buzz word among consumers. It is a prioritized food component when scanning store shelves and online shopping channels. A thing that has not changed—and really needs to—is educating consumers about protein quality, digestibility, availability and how it’s not just protein, but the whole food package that makes animal proteins so powerful. 

We don’t eat individual nutrients. Even a protein beverage mix labeled 100% whey protein still contains fats and carbohydrates. The body does not digest one type of nutrient in isolation from the others. This means that building proteins from plants or even through fermentation is different from the whole food package, e.g., a glass of milk, an egg, a salmon filet, etc. This could change some day. 

O’Brien explained how more than $1.7 billion has been invested in lab-grown protein and dairy companies as of March 2022. Further, the USDA awarded $10 million to Tufts University over the next five years to launch the National Institute for Cellular Agriculture. 

While cellular proteins are necessary to help feed the growing population, livestock are critical to regenerative agriculture and growing edible food crops. 

“Gen Z and Millennials consider food alternative innovations inevitable and are open to trying lab-grown dairy products but have high expectations,” she said. 

Those expectations include being earth friendly. And that’s where many processors need to up their game. O’Brien said that two out of three Americans report switching their current product for one that has a more positive impact and that climate labels are increasingly helping people make purchase decisions based on carbon footprint.

You may not be aware that Perfect Day Inc., creator of the world’s first animal-free dairy protein, entered the sports nutrition market with a protein mix at the end of 2021. The new line puts Perfect Day’s hallmark ingredient front and center, bringing consumers the taste, performance and nutrition of conventional whey protein powder but with a fraction of the environmental impact, according to the company. 

“After highlighting the functionality of our protein in cream cheese, ice cream and baked goods, this new category brings its nutritional superiority to the forefront,” said Ryan Pandya, co-founder and CEO of Perfect Day, Inc. “We developed this new product line for traditional whey protein and plant-based protein consumers alike, and above all, for anyone conscious about their health and the health of our planet.”

Let’s make sure consumers know that traditional animal proteins are a component of powerful whole foods and that the animals they come from are critical to our soil. 

Meet the “Climavore,” the climate-conscious consumer that dairy processors need to educate.

 

Photo source: Lactalis

To hear a 10-minute presentation from Synergy on the five trends fueling dairy and dairy-alternative innovation in 2022, link HERE or on the banner ad in this blog. 

Happy Earth Day 2022!

Just in time for Earth Day 2022--Friday, April 22--global management consulting firm Kearney released its 2022 Earth Day Survey. The report contains great information. You can access it HERE.

The report looks into the climate impact of consumer food-purchasing choices and measures consumer momentum toward “climavorism,” the making of mindful food purchasing and consumption choices based on their impact on climate and the larger environment. 

These decisions make a difference. And the U.S. dairy industry is proactive in this space. 

Did you know?

• Due to innovative farming and feed practices, a gallon of milk in 2017 required 30% less water, 21% less land and 19% smaller carbon footprint than in 2007.
• According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, since 2005 North America was the only region in the world that reduced its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), even as it increased milk production, making its greenhouse gas intensity for dairy products the lowest in the world.
• Dairy farms are a powerful tool against food waste by diverting byproducts (such as almond hulls, citrus pulp and brewer’s grains) from other food industries and using them as feed, converting potentially unused resources into high-nutrient foods and beverages. 
• Dairy farmers can also convert food waste and manure into valuable products such as renewable energy and fertilizer.
• U.S. dairy has set a goal to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050, creating a cross-industry Net Zero Initiative that advances research, on-farm pilots and new market development to make sustainability practices more accessible and affordable to farms of all sizes and regions.

Kearney’s Earth Day Survey polled 1,000 U.S. consumers on their awareness of, and attitudes toward, the relationship between their eating preferences and the climate crisis, and found a measurable shift in consumer awareness of the environmental impact of their food-buying choices.

“Daily food choice is a call to action for consumers keen to make a positive impact on climate outcomes, with nearly one-third of consumers in our survey considering environmental impact at the grocery store,” says Corey Chafin, associate partner in Kearney’s consumer practice, and the study’s principal author. “We are entering into a new era of climate-conscious eating--giving rise to the Climavores--with 80% of consumers indicating at least some awareness of the connection between food choice and the environment.” 

Climavores, as you might expect, follow a diet less defined by ingredients, unlike veganism, for example. Instead, Climavores actively make food choices based on climate impacts, practicing climate-conscious eating based on a series of dietary trade-offs intended to benefit the planet. This is not just a niche trend, but rather a steadily growing consumer movement that seeks to understand the climate implications of their food choices. (See graph.)

The study concludes that food processors need to pay attention to the growing Climavore consumer segment for two reasons. First, it is clearly building momentum. Second, since food production is the second-largest source of adverse climate change, things have to change if manufacturers have any hope of hitting their GHG emission targets before those voluntary targets become mandates.

“Food companies must add ‘climate impact’ to their product reformulation and design-to-value campaigns to prepare for the rise of the Climavore consumer,” says Chafin. 

It’s not that easy. The study identifies several major caveats for food companies. For starters, climate-conscious foods that reduce GHG must taste good and be on a par with or below the market cost of products with larger carbon footprints. The U.S. dairy industry, along with many global dairy processors, already deliver on this. 

“Taste is a critical barrier,” said Lorraine Kelly, senior category marketing manager for Synergy. 

Chafin also points to declining interest in plant-based foods and respondents’ concerns about being identified as vegans or vegetarians. 

“Consumers have become alienated by the binary ‘omnivore/vegetarian’ thinking and plant-based burger craze,” he says. “Instead we should focus on climate-conscious food choices of any type.” 

In General Mills’ 2022 Global Responsibility Report, the company states that “regenerative agriculture is the most promising solution to reach our climate goals.” 

Thank you to General Mills, the manufacturer of dairy brands such as oui, ratio and Yoplait. The company has the scale and resources to drive positive change in the food system through its work in regenerative agriculture, sustainable ingredient sourcing and nutrition access. 

Here are some recent production introductions that speak directly to the Climavore. 

This Climavore-friendly milk beverage gets my vote as the “best-tasting, first-of-its-kind” product in the marketplace. (I seldom give out such accolades.) It’s from Clover Sonoma, a third-generation family-owned and operated dairy and Certified B Corporation. The company is taking its brand nationally with the launch of Organic Moon Milks.

Steeped in ancient Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, Clover Sonoma’s Moon Milks blend 2% organic milk with herbs and spices. Available in quart size, Clover Sonoma Moon Milks are debuting at Whole Foods Market in three varieties: Golden Moon (Turmeric Ginger), Blue Moon (Blueberry Lavender) and Pink Moon (Cherry Berry Hibiscus). The soothing botanicals infused in all three flavors of Moon Milks can help promote relaxation and wellness throughout the day and can be enjoyed cold, warm or in a variety of recipes. Oh my, these are amazing!

Mintel named Moon Milks as one of the “Three Drink Trends to Watch Out for in 2022,” stating “over the course of the pandemic, the home has become the center of life, including work and relaxation. As a result, consumers are increasingly looking for rituals combining experience with indulgence and comfort.”

Clover Sonoma Moon Milks are a perfectly balanced, nutritious whole food with eleven naturally occurring vitamins and minerals providing 25% Daily Value of calcium and 9 grams of protein per one cup serving. A 32-ounce carton sells for $5.99.

“We look forward to sharing our organic Moon Milks with conscious consumers who look for wellness products offering unique health benefits,” says Clover Sonoma Chief Growth Officer Kristel Corson. “Consumers can now enjoy a new ritual of drinking Moon Milks morning, noon or night. Moon Milks can elevate any smoothie, transform tea or coffee into a creamy latte, brighten breakfast cereal, boost ice with a pour over or simply warm up for a soothing bedtime treat. Plus, you can also use Moon Milks to add a natural color or flavor boost to a variety of delicious recipes found in our digital recipe book. The versatility of this unique and nutritious dairy beverage is endless.”

Clover Sonoma is all about sustainability. The Petaluma, Calif.-based dairy is taking a big step forward in its new organic gallon milk jug. It supports a closed loop recycling system to ensure that plastic is neither created nor destroyed, but re-used for a single purpose. The company is starting with 30% post-consumer resin (PCR) content  and is committed to increasing the PCR content and extending PCR content use across all Clover Sonoma gallon milk jugs by 2025. The first PCR milk jugs hit the shelf in the first quarter of 2022 with a designated logo to educate consumers about the new packaging’s benefits.

“To reach our sustainability goals, packaging innovation is a priority for us as a company,” says Corson. “Finding sustainable solutions means taking risks and investing in what’s best for the planet. We are focused on improving our packaging across product lines using reusable, recyclable, renewable and environmentally conscious resources. We encourage the food industry to join us in this effort.”

Recycled plastic is less wasteful than new plastic because new plastic mostly comes from non-renewable fossil fuels like petroleum, which are hard on the environment. By contrast, recycled plastics require no virgin petroleum to be sourced and divert recycled materials from ending up in a landfill, so they alleviate much of the environmental burden.

“By closing the loop on gallon milk jugs, Clover Sonoma is helping keep packaging out of landfills,” says California Milk Advisory Board CEO John Talbot. “California dairy producers and processors are committed to providing a sustainable, nutritious product while working together to reduce the environmental impact of milk across its entire lifecycle. This initiative is an important step in that journey.”

Currently, the company’s gallon milk jugs are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, commonly referred to as #2 plastic, which is one of the most widely accepted plastics in recycling programs. As Clover Sonoma produces milk gallon jug packaging using more PCR content, the company needs a greater volume of recycled HDPE. If more consumers rinse, cap and place gallon milk jugs in a recycling bin for pickup, the company can produce more milk gallon jugs from recycled PCR content to further support a circular economy.

The company also made the conscious decision to reduce plastic waste by saying “no” to plastic caps on many of its paper milk cartons. These cartons are now fully renewable.

I had the chance to meet the people behind Neutral Milk when I spoke at the Oregon Dairy Industries meeting a few weeks ago. One of the company’s investors is Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and judge on Shark Tank. 

“Neutral is a game-changer,” says Cuban. “Neutral works with farmers to deploy on-farm carbon reduction projects focused on compost, manure management and feed changes. It’s a unique solution that can feed us while protecting us. It’s a program that I’m proud to be part of.”

Neutral Foods offers Whole Milk, 2% Milk, Fat-Free Milk, Heavy Whipping Cream and Half & Half, and Organic Whole Milk, Organic 2% Milk and Organic Half & Half. Products are available nationally through Whole Foods and other select retailers.

Neutral Foods was founded in 2019 in Portland, Oregon, with a mission to reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture. The company works with dairy farmers to implement a number of strategies to drive down the carbon emissions of milk, and what can't be reduced is offset through the purchase of carbon credits from U.S. dairy farmers who turn cow emissions into renewable energy.

In late October 2021, the company announced it raised $4 million in financing from two venture capital firms, bringing its total funding to more than $4.8 million to date. Breakthrough Energy Ventures led the round with Mark Cuban Companies participating.

“We believe a large number of consumers desire greater control of their climate change purchasing decisions,” says Carmichael Roberts, Breakthrough Energy Ventures. “Neutral’s availability at Whole Foods Market is an opportunity for consumers to consciously choose climate aligned products in their daily lives, and we’re proud to support their mission to reduce the carbon footprint of products consumers know and love.”

The capital raised will be used to support national distribution, driving awareness and trial of the brand, and to make direct investments with farmers on projects to reduce carbon emissions.

“Solutions to reduce agricultural GHG emissions and increase sequestration on agricultural lands exist, but they’re expensive. We’re giving farmers the capital they need to adopt low- or no-emitting solutions,” says Ann Radil, head of carbon reduction at Neutral. “This year we’re investing in family-owned farms in Oregon and Washington, reducing GHG emissions by changing what cows eat and how nutrients are managed. Over their lifetimes, these projects will avoid more than 3,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from entering the atmosphere. Next year we’re tripling our investment in family-owned farms across the U.S., funding tactics that reduce operational emissions or increase long-term carbon storage in vegetation and soils.”

There are also two new butters in the marketplace that are Climavore friendly. Anchor, the consumer brand of New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra, is debuting Organic carbonzero Certified Butter. Made with cream from independently certified organic farms, Anchor’s Organic carbonzero Certified Butter has a fresh creamy taste and rich golden hue to reflect New Zealand cows’ pasture-rich diet.

New Zealand has one of the lowest on-farm carbon footprints in the world, making Anchor uniquely qualified to offer consumers a butter option that helps reduce their environmental impact. Anchor’s Organic carbonzero Certified Butter has been audited and verified by Toit? Envirocare, an independent certifier that verifies carbon emissions across the product life cycle. In order to meet the carbonzero certification requirements of Toit? Envirocare, Fonterra calculated the carbon emissions required in the distribution of Anchor butter from farm to consumers’ homes, developed a plan to reduce emissions further and supported renewable energy projects to offset emissions that couldn't be reduced.

And Glanbia Ireland now offers Truly Grass Fed Spreadable Butter in the U.S. The butter is made from cows that are 95% grass-fed, Non-GMO Project Verified, Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World, and free from growth hormones ande art of farming but deeply dedicated t antibiotics. The brand is rooted in tho sustainability, transparency and progress with wholesome dairy from cows living their best lives outside, on pasture on average 250 days a year, grazing on green Irish grass.

“These cows are living their best lives outside, on pasture on average 250 days a year, grazing on green Irish grass,” says Nicola O’Connell, head of marketing. “We work with about 3,000 farmers in southeast Ireland who have 90 to 100 herd sizes.”

The company recently joined 1% for the Planet, and will donate 1% of its annual revenue to Slow Food USA, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming how people produce, consume and enjoy food. The Truly Grass Fed donation will support Slow Food USA’s mission of uniting the joy of food with the pursuit of justice to achieve good, clean and fair food for all. Together, they seek to advance the brand’s commitment to crafting dairy products with integrity and care for people, animals and the planet.

Happy Earth Day!

Plant-Based Dairy 2.0: An Opportunity for Dairy Processors

 

After spending some time exploring supermarkets and co-ops in the Portland, Oregon, area this week, as well as speaking with Pacific Northwesterners at the Oregon Dairy Industries annual meeting (wonderful to visit with so many of you!), I discovered that while plant-based and vegetarianism/veganism is common in this neck of the woods, the reason for most consumers to follow such a diet is because they believe it is better for the planet. And for many, current plant-based dairy and meat alternatives do not cut it, as they are overly processed and actually creating new waste streams. (Think almonds.) Enter plant-based dairy 2.0.

Plant-based dairy 2.0 focuses on upcycled ingredients. The easiest one is the inclusion of “ugly” fruits and vegetables. But there are other ingredients that may be sourced to be “upcycled,” and with all the supply chain connections dairy processors have, along with the manufacturing know-how, this is the way to enter the plant-based sector and provide a point of distinction. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food waste accounts for approximately 6% of human-caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. And, with more than 30% of all food produced globally being lost or going to waste, that’s a big problem. Upcycled foods, and upcycled food ingredients, prevent this problem by creating new, high-quality products from surplus food. 

The Upcycled Foods Association reports that 60% of people want to buy more upcycled food products, and that’s because 95% of us want to do our part to reduce food waste. For more information on the association, link HERE.

The association defines upcycled foods as ones that “use ingredients that otherwise would not have gone to human consumption, are procured and produced using verifiable supply chains, and have a positive impact on the environment.”

Upcycled foods appeal to the flexitarian, the consumer trying to reduce intake of animal-based products but does not necessarily avoid them. Flexitarians are interested in their health and the health of the planet; however, they are not willing to compromise on enjoyment. 

The Frozen Farmer presents the perfect example of a dairy using upcycled ingredients to make a non-dairy frozen dessert. With more than 20% of the fruits and veggies in America being “too ugly” to make it off the farm and into the grocery store, this Delaware-based family farm decided to make these ugly produce items the star of frozen desserts. Some are dairy ice cream and others are non-dairy sorbet. The company use the perfectly imperfect produce that tastes delicious despite the way it looks.

HERE is a list of other food companies using upcycled ingredients and marketing products as such. 

There are other ingredients that go into dairy and plant-based dairy foods that may come from upcycled stream, namely fibers and some sweeteners. 

Something for you to ponder this Easter weekend when the littles hunt out eggs in the fields and gardens. With Earth Day being next week, Friday, April 22, 2022, it is time to make a plan on how to make a difference.  

Dairy Foods Innovations: Consider Making a “Keto-Friendly” Claim

 

Simply Delish Chocolate Keto Pudding is hitting Costco refrigerators in the South-East Region. It’s a vegan, ready-to-eat product. Dairy should be in this space.

I’ve had numerous industry folks reach out to me this week after reading my article “Going Keto” in Baking & Snack magazine. You can read it HERE. 

Most are surprised that keto remains a buzz word. In fact, one professional friend stated how shocked she was to see even more keto-labeled products at this year’s Natural Products Expo West show. She thought for sure it would have been a fad that died after the 2019 expo. In fact, most food marketers were skeptical on the longevity of its popularity and only a few jumped on the bandwagon with products marketed as keto friendly.

I’ve always believed it would not go away, as the word keto communicates a food’s composition. It’s less about following a keto diet and more about identifying foods that have low or no sugar and are pumped up with protein and fat. Seeing this four-letter word on foods suggests it has this composition. 

People don’t want “diet foods” or “weight loss foods.” Remember, that’s why Weight Watchers changed its name to WW. 

In general, products sporting a keto-friendly label tend to focus on the amount of a nutrient rather than a content claim, such as “contains 2 grams of net carbs” vs. “low sugar.” There’s also almost always a call out of protein content per serving, too. Keto is not about depriving yourself of carbohydrates. It’s about loading up on satiating nutrients that help you lose body fat and build muscle. 

Keep in mind that keto is not legally defined, nor is the term “net carbohydrates.” The latter refers to carbohydrates that the body digests and includes sugars naturally found in everything from fruit to milk, as well as caloric carbohydrates, such as wheat flour and other grains. Most calculations are made by taking the total carbohydrates in a food and subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols. 

The keto weight-loss regime emphasizes a diet that is about 70% fat, 20% protein, and 5% each simple carbohydrates and non-starchy vegetables. Such a diet forces the body into a metabolic state known as ketosis, which is when the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. The liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies, with the latter traveling to the brain and fueling the body, the traditional role of glucose obtained from carbohydrates. Burning ketones in place of glucose is associated with weight loss, reduced inflammation, sustained energy and more. 

There are a number of keto certifications available, which provide a seal for use on product labels and marketing materials. Trimona, for example, recently updated its yogurt packaging to put its use of A2A2-tested whole milk from grass-fed organic cows up front and center. The company also now includes the Keto Project Verified seal. 

Keto-friendly yogurts make sense. They speak to the trends that nutrition experts say are top of mind. 

The 10th annual Pollock Communications and Today’s Dietitian “What’s Trending in Nutrition” survey provides an in-depth look at the trends for 2022 and beyond, as well as a flashback to the past decade. With 1,173 Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) responding, this is the most comprehensive collection of data from nutrition experts actively working in the field. RDNs agree that the shift from low-carb to high-fat diets like the ketogenic diet is the most surprising change from the past decade, followed by plant-based eating, which is emphasized by the 2022 Top 10 Superfoods. (See infographic below.) 

“With the focus on health and immunity in the next decade, nutrient-dense options will be an important part of consumer diets, as they embrace food as medicine to help prevent disease,” says Louise Pollock, president of Pollock Communications. “In addition, there will likely be an increased interest in functional foods containing ingredients that provide health benefits beyond their nutrient profile.”

This is what yogurt is all about. 

Register HERE for “High Protein Yogurts--Principles, Challenges and Options.” Attendees will learn about market trends for yogurt. They will explore the importance of taste and texture and how to use the different components of milk to help maximize consumer preference. They will learn to overcome the challenges associated with higher-protein, low-sugar yogurts.

Top 10 Takeaways from the 10th annual “What’s Trending in Nutrition” survey 

1. Trends Throwback: In reviewing the past decade of changes in food and nutrition, RDNs are most surprised by the overcorrection in diet culture, from fat-free everything to the rise of the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet. Other notable changes include plant-based eating, nutrition misinformation from social media, gluten-free products, intermittent fasting, gut health and immunity, dairy-free and plant-based milk products, vegetarian and vegan diets, online grocery shopping and the multitude of fad diets that have emerged.

2. Purchase Drivers: As a result of the pandemic, RDNs predict the top-purchase drivers of 2022 will be foods and beverages that support immunity, are affordable and value-based and promote comfort and emotional well-being. Also, RDNs predict consumers will be looking for newer functional ingredients such as CBD, collagen and hemp in 2022 and beyond, continuing their rise in popularity.

3. What’s in a Label: “Convenience,” “healthy” and “taste” are the top attributes consumers look for (in that order) when making a food purchase, followed by “lower cost” and “natural.” Healthy first made the top-three list in 2019, as consumers began to better understand the connection between food and overall well-being.

4. It’s a Digital World: Ninety percent of RDNs cite online food shopping as the biggest trend from the pandemic that they believe will continue, compelling marketers to reimagine ways to reach consumers on virtual shopping platforms, including more online promotions, digital coupons and immersive virtual branding experiences.

5. Snack Attack: Due to the pandemic, 95% of RDNs say that consumers are snacking more. RDNs believe that the increase in snacking is related to more consumers working from home, followed by an increased desire for comfort foods.

6. The 2022 Top-10 Superfoods: Fermented foods are once again number one, likely because of their immune- and gut-boosting benefits. Superfood favorites like seeds, nuts and avocados have consistently made the list over the years, while ancient grains make a comeback for 2022 predictions. 

7. Bad Influence(r): “Influencers” show no sign of slowing down, but be wary of who you follow. RDNs say that consumers receive the most nutrition misinformation from social media with friends and family coming in second, and celebrities a close third.

8. Social Pseudoscience: The digital world is fueling false nutrition news according to RDNs who say these platforms are the top-three sources: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. TikTok is new to the list this year knocking out blogs/vlogs for the number-three spot.

9. Fast Break: According to RDNs, the popular diet trends for 2022 are expected to be: intermittent fasting, ketogenic and clean eating.

10. Eat Your Veggies: Year after year, the top RD nutrition recommendation is to eat more servings of vegetables per day. RDNs also recommend that consumers limit highly processed foods or fast food as well as foods with added sugars, increase fiber intake and reduce saturated and trans-fats in the diet.

“The predictions of RDNs, the frontline experts in food and nutrition, are always reliable to help food and beverage manufacturers and marketers meet the demands of consumers,” says Mara Honicker, publisher of Today's Dietitian. “Our survey has accurately tracked health and wellness trends for a decade.” 

Don’t forget to register for “High Protein Yogurts--Principles, Challenges and Options.” You can use the banner ad below to link to the registration page. 

Five Ice Cream Observations to Fuel Your 2023 Innovations

 

April Fools! That photo should grab your attention. It’s a prank from Yasso, which is pretending to launch Mintiest Mint Toothpaste, Mouthwash and Floss today. The idea was inspired by Yasso’s bestselling Mint Chocolate Chip Bar, which has been compared—by its haters—to tasting like mint toothpaste. Always one to poke fun at themselves, the cult-favorite better-for-you Greek frozen yogurt brand hopes the prank brings a smile to its customers during these crazy times. 

It was wonderful to see—and hug or fist bump—so many of you at the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Ice Cream Technology and Yogurt & Cultured Innovation Conference in Florida. The company was great. The content was interesting. And, well, the weather was fabulous. 

With almost 30 years of tracking ice cream trends behind me, I believe I am able to provide a unique perspective to the category. And, in fact, there is still time to plan your travels to the Oregon Dairy Industries meeting on April 12 to hear “Around the World One Scoop at a Time,” where I will discuss how ice cream is a craved dessert in almost every country, but the similarities end there. Discover flavors, textures and formats from beyond our borders, as well as explore U.S. concepts that are already playing in this space and identify opportunities for future innovation. For more information, link HERE. 

Here are five ice cream observations from the past year or so to help fuel your next innovation. 

1. Pints are powerful and should focus on indulgence. They command a premium and allow for consumers to try something new without the commitment of a larger-sized package. Price often does not matter when shopping the pint section of the freezer, which continues to grow every year.

2. Novelties, on the other hand, are designed to be single-serve items. While once considered a kids’ category, novelties are now often premium products designed for adults. They assist with portion control, so are ideal for indulgent formulations where the consumer wants a treat without the temptation to grab another scoop. They function as a grab-and-go snack and should be marketed as such. One of the biggest opportunities with novelties is better-for-you concepts. This might be in the form of high protein, probiotics, botanicals, fortification, etc. It also might be about low- or no-added sugar, which happens to be the biggest claim being made on new ice cream launches. It might also be about the inclusion of fruits, nuts and other whole food ingredients that are identifiable. The consumer knows just what they are getting in this portion pack.  

3. New ice cream flavors are paramount to keeping your brand relevant. Anything goes with ice cream flavors and those that provide shock value make for great limited-edition offerings. Investing in public relations prior to the launch provides the marketing hype to make the flavor a success and creates anticipation for the next concept in the pipeline. 

4. International recipes, imported ingredients and local sourcing, in particular, the use of upcycled ingredients, should not be trivialized. Authenticity and storytelling is key. 

5. Co-branding is back, as is exclusive partnerships with retailers. The co-branding is not simply licensing a character or making reference to some nostalgic dessert. It’s about teaming up with another food company and recreating their product as an ice cream. And, making a flavor exclusive to a specific retail chain invites that retailer to do the marketing for you. 

Ice Cream Flavor Contest

The IDFA conference hosted 178 ice cream industry professionals who tasted, judged and selected the winners from 35 ice cream innovations entered into this annual contest. Purple Daze by The Ice Cream Club Inc., took home top honors in the Most Innovative Ice Cream Flavor competition. It is black raspberry ice cream with a black raspberry crinkle and dark chocolate black raspberry cups. 

Blue Bunny Strawberry Cheesecake Twist Cone by Wells Enterprises Inc., was awarded Most Innovative Ice Cream Novelty. This concept rolled out earlier this year and is a sugar cone filled with two flavors of soft-serve dairy dessert along with a ribbon of strawberry.

Perry’s Ice Cream Company Inc., received second place for its Yellow Cake Sundae Crunch Ice Cream Bar. Third place went to Dairy Farmers of America for its Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler.

Monkey Bread from Hudsonville Ice Cream was named Most Innovative Prototype Ice Cream Flavor. I am looking forward to this flavor being commercialized. Hudsonville also grabbed a third place award for its Little Debbie Honey Bun Ice Cream, which is honey bun-flavored ice cream with glazed honey bun pieces and a sweet cinnamon swirl. Hudsonville Ice Cream and Little Debbie rolled out seven snack cake-flavored ice cream pints to Walmart stores on February 1st.

Rolling Out Now

Of course, you could only win if you entered the contest…and there are so many new ice creams entering freezers in 2022 that were not part of the contest that I feel the need to highlight some for you in this space. 

Cascade Glacier, a popular foodservice ice cream brand for more than 25 years at national parks, waterparks and other attractions along the West Coast, is bringing back one of its popular shock-value flavors: Licorice. Just looking at it you can almost taste the authentic black licorice flavor. 

Shark Tank-backed farm creamery business, The Frozen Farmer, is accelerating its Kroger partnership by joining the Kroger Racing family of brands in sponsoring JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 47 Camaro ZL1, driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series. The brand is also launching a new Kroger-exclusive flavor: Apple Pie Frobert. This flavor is a blend of ice cream and sorbet made using upcycled fruit. It hit shelves nationwide this month. Frobert is the company’s better-for-you frozen dairy dessert that lessens the fat and calorie content of traditional ice cream in a sustainable way without sacrificing flavor or creaminess. 

Shock value is the name of the game for Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. Last summer the company teamed up with Kraft Heinz to bring together two of life’s greatest pleasures: ice cream and macaroni and cheese. The limited-edition ice cream sold out online in the first few hours and did not last long in scoop shops. 

Continuing with the cheese theme, Van Leeuwen is rolling out Pizza, which is pizza-flavored ice cream featuring a mozzarella base with tomatoes and basil. It is part of an exclusive launch at Walmart that also includes Bourbon Cherries Jubilee, Hot Honey (bits of honeycomb in a vanilla base with a hot honey swirl), Planet Earth (blue spirulina and matcha green tea cake), Royal Wedding Cake (floral, sweet cream cheese ice cream with chunks of lemon sponge cake with layers of elderflower frosting) and Wild Blueberry Shortcake.

Salt & Straw wants to take you back to cereal-filled Saturday mornings with its new Cereal-sly Delicious line of five cereal-inspired flavors. They are: 

Cornflake Cookies w/ Marionberry Jam: caramelized brown butter cornflake cookies crumbled into malty, cereal-flecked ice cream with gobs of marionberry jam 

OffLimits’ Cocoa Puffs’ n Cold Brew: Intelligentsia cold brew ice cream swirled with malty fudge with cereal brand OffLimits’ coffee and cocoa spheres thrown in

Peanut Butter Cheer Yo Clusters: golden cereal, gooey marshmallow fluff and creamy peanut butter made into bars until they’re extra chewy, then broken into bite-sized clusters and churned into chocolate stracciatella-flecked sweet oat cream 

Pots of Gold & Rainbows: Lucky Charms cereal steeped in cream for that bottom-of-the-bowl sweetened milk flavor with heaps of rainbow mallows

Snap & Crackle Marshmallow Treats: marshmallow-y brown butter treats, pressed and toasted into a lacy florentine, churned throughout a malty, toasted graham ice cream

And, one of my favorite shock-value flavors is Everything Bagel from Jeni’s Ice Cream. After being a very successful special-edition offering in 2021, the company is brining it back for a limited time this year.

Jeni’s uses a buttery streusel seasoned with onions, garlic, cayenne, sesame and poppy seeds in a cream cheese-flavored ice cream. The garlic and onion pieces are there and surprisingly, quite good. The cream cheese balances these two ingredients, bringing out their natural sweetness.