Dairy Foods Innovations: Dairy—in its many forms—is fueling the future.

 

(picture taken at IDDBA)

The Midwest, including where I am in Chicago, had been hit very hard the past two days with severe weather. For those returning from IDDBA, I hope you made it home safe. For those with power and WIFI outages—like me—hope you get back in business. Sorry for the delay in today’s blog. It’s Mother Nature’s fault. But I think we can forgive her, as she gave us dairy, a food that fuels the world!  

It was great to see so many Daily Dose of Dairy subscribers at IDDBA 2026, which was held earlier this week in Orlando. Exhibitor innovations confirmed what Anne-Marie Roerink, president, 210 Analytics, presented as a keynote speaker. Basically, she said, dairy is rocking it. (You saw some of the IDDBA innovations this past week featured as a Daily Dose of Dairy. More to come in the weeks ahead.)
“Dairy growth reflects the nation’s health focus. Real ingredients, protein, functional benefits, low carb and animal welfare, dairy offers it all,” said Roerink. 

 

Check out this cottage cheese case at my neighborhood Mariano’s. I chatted with the stock person who said she can’t keep it filled.  

New research from Chef’s Pencil, an international online food magazine and cookbook platform where professional chefs share their recipes, culinary techniques and industry insights, shows that cottage cheese is undergoing one of the most remarkable comebacks in the American food industry, fueled by the country’s growing obsession with protein-rich foods.

After ranking last among five popular cheeses just a few years ago, cottage cheese has now overtaken cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan in online popularity, according to the platform’s analysis of Google Trends data. The surge in consumer interest is also showing up in the supply chain: USDA data shows cottage cheese production grew roughly five times faster than overall U.S. cheese production between 2023 and 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing major cheese categories in the country.

Some key findings:

• Cottage cheese reached its highest search popularity on record in 2026.
• Searches for cottage cheese now exceed those for cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan.
• USDA data shows cottage cheese production grew by roughly 25% to 26% between 2023 and 2025, compared to about 5% growth for the cheese industry overall. It was the second-fastest-growing major cheese category in America, behind only gouda.
• Dairy producers are investing heavily in new cottage cheese production capacity, with some facilities shifting away from other cheese varieties to meet demand.
• Consumers are increasingly using cottage cheese in high-protein recipes, from lasagna and bread to ice cream, cheesecake, pancakes, and mac and cheese.

The trend appears to be part of a broader shift toward protein-focused eating, driven by fitness culture, health-conscious consumers and the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

One of the beauties of cottage cheese is its versatility. It can be turned into an indulgent sweet treat, while still providing powerhouse protein. 

Roerink emphasized at IDDBA that many dairy foods provide permission for everyday indulgences. This is not something to downplay. This is a marketing point to promote. 

Speaking of permission to indulge, I am not going to let the cheesecake opportunity go, which is something I recently wrote about. Read more HERE. Single-serve cheesecake desserts in new formats were big business at IDDBA. Cheesecake can be formulated to deliver protein, while satisfying sweet cravings and global flavor adventure. 

“Protein is taking center stage in how consumers think about health and the shift has been building for years,” according to Julie Johnson, president, HealthFocus International, Des Plaines, Ill. “Our latest study, tracking behavior from 2018 to 2026, shows a clear evolution: adding protein has become an increasingly important dietary priority, with more consumers linking it directly to weight management.

This isn’t just a trend. It’s a reframing of how people approach nutrition.

“Protein is no longer just for fitness enthusiasts,” said Johnson. “It’s becoming a foundational tool for everyday health, satiety and sustainable weight control.
“For brands and teams, this signals growing opportunity in product innovation, messaging and portfolio strategy,” Johnson added. 

This is particularly true with whey proteins, which are in such great demand as food ingredients, that some outlets are reporting there to be a shortage. 

“Consumer demand trends sharply diverged between whey and plant protein. Whey protein continued strong growth, with dollar sales increasing 17.4% and unit sales increasing 27.4% versus the previous year,” said Scott Dicker, market insights and research, SPINS, Chicago. “Household penetration for whey protein also increased by 1.8 points, demonstrating continued consumer engagement and broad-based demand growth.

Plant protein, however, experienced declining demand despite stable pricing. Dollar sales declined 7.3% while unit sales fell 5.7% versus the previous year. Household penetration also declined by 0.5 points, indicating that fewer consumers are purchasing the segment.”

 

From byproduct of cheesemaking to powerhouse protein, whey is rocking it. Plan to join whey industry professionals at this year’s International Whey Conference, which will take place in Chicago, September 20 to 23. I promise to have a chat with Mother Nature about weather. To learn more, link HERE.

 

California Milk Advisory Board Opens Applications for 2026 Real California Milk Excelerator 

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and innovation consultancy, VentureFuel, have launched the 2026 Real California Milk Excelerator, one of the world’s largest dairy innovation and startup acceleration programs. Now entering its eighth year, the program is evolving beyond traditional startup support to help founders accelerate commercialization, retail growth and business scale through a combination of industry expertise, strategic connections and AI-enabled sales and marketing tools.

Over the past eight years, the program has become a proven engine for dairy innovation and growth. More than 60 brands have participated, benefiting from over $2.5 million in non-dilutive funding, 6.3 billion media impressions and connections to more than 100 industry executives spanning distribution, retail, manufacturing, venture capital and corporate innovation. These resources have helped participating companies increase visibility, secure strategic relationships and accelerate their path to commercialization.

Featuring both incubator and accelerator tracks, the Real California Milk Excelerator dairy innovation program supports emerging and growth-stage companies developing innovative, value-added dairy products. Cohort members receive support to move from product innovation to commercial success across categories including beverages, snacks, cultured dairy products, cheese, butter, nutrition-focused foods, functional foods, frozen desserts, personal care and pet products made with dairy ingredients.

Since inception, the program has helped drive multi-million-dollar growth and retail expansion at national retailers including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market and Costco. The program’s incubator track has expanded its reach by helping promising early-stage concepts gain the expertise, industry connections and resources needed to advance toward commercialization. 

Building on that impact, and the success of alumni like Smearcase, Petit Pot and Cheese Bits, the 2026 program places increased emphasis on commercialization, retail readiness, investor access and AI-enabled growth strategies designed to help founders accelerate market adoption and scale more efficiently.

Selected companies will participate in a 10-week program combining mentorship, expert-led education and hands-on support from leaders across the dairy, food and retail ecosystems, with guidance spanning formulation, production, sales, marketing, retail strategy and commercialization. As a key enhancement for 2026, participants will gain access to AI-enabled sales, marketing, consumer insights and retail intelligence tools that can help identify market opportunities, analyze consumer trends, optimize go-to-market strategies and improve commercialization decisions.

Applications are open through July 24, 2026. Startups and entrepreneurs developing innovative dairy products made with at least 50% dairy are encouraged to apply.

Interested parties can apply, learn more about competition rules, key dates and the application process, and RSVP for an upcoming virtual information session by linking HERE.