APRIL 2025 vol. 126 no. 4
IN THIS ISSUE
Inside the pLant
Westby Cooperative Creamery in Westby, Wis., manufacturers 132 SKUs of cultured dairy products for retail, foodservice, private-label, co-packing and ingredient accounts coast.to coast. The plant will undergo a $14 million expansion to better automate its equipment. This is due to be completed by mid-2026..
OPERATION TECHNOLOGIES
Cybersecurity is a crucial component of maintaining a secure and efficient dairy plant. As hackers become more advanced and technology and artificial intelligence evolve, processors must employ best practices to ensure the security of their operations, data, products and profits.
INGREDIENT TECHNOLOGIES
One would think that fibers related to promoting health and wellness, specifically digestive health and immune health, would be growing nicely today. That assumption would be correct. Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, are all enjoying growth in their respective markets.
OUTLOOK REPORT
In the United States, the ready-to-drink (RTD) market is expected to reach an estimated value of $247.26 billion by 2032, driven by "inclination toward fortified and gut-health-improving beverages such as kombucha, energy drinks, and functional water,” Fortune Business Insights predicts. Specifically in the dairy space, the RTD beverage market is also experiencing strong growth.
PROCESSOR PROFILE
Westby Cooperative Creamery, going into its 123rd year, has been utilizing simple ingredients and the freshest milk from 94 local family dairy farms to churn out traditional and organic cottage cheese, bulk yogurt, sour cream and dairy dips.. The only cottage cheese manufacturer in Wisconsin, the cooperative produces 1.1 million pounds of award-winning cottage cheese each month.
FEATURES
DAIRY FOODS EXTRA
With PROOF Hard Ice Cream currently expanding at a blazing pace, corporate executives acknowledge they will soon outgrow its 4,000-square-foot South Carolina plant.
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR
South Carolina is perhaps where the next great dairy segment has been born: alcohol-infused ice cream. At the forefront of the alcohol-infused ice cream movement is PROOF Hard Ice Cream, led by Jennifer Randall, co-founder and CEO, and Dirk Brown, co-founder and chairman, who founded the start-up in 2014.
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
Eat. Drink. Dairy.
“Double treat” from Wells Enterprises features candy bars and ice cream; Once Upon a Farm debuts products to help toddlers grow; Dairy Farmers of America scores big with Milk50 by Dairy Pure.
Market Trends
Overall, it has been a strong past 52 weeks for cheese, especially when looking at the natural cheese category. There were some pockets of weakness however, mainly the processed cheese and grated cheese subcategories, according to Chicago-based research firm Circana’s data for the 52 weeks ending Jan. 26.
"Let’s Talk Dairy" Podcast
Catherine Bayard, global product manager, Plant Attitude at Givaudan, joins us for Episode 51 of the “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast. Bayard manages the dairy and cheese alternatives category globally at Switzerland-based Givaudan, helping to create food experiences intended to do good and feel good for body, mind and planet.
OPERATIONS
Equipment Showcase
We provide the latest advances on fillers and capers.
INGREDIENTS/R&D
Health & Wellness
Fandemonium around professional athletes like Lionel Messi, Caitlin Clark and Coco Gauff is definitely sparking interest in sports and nutrition among Gen Zers (ages 12 to 27) and causing this group to focus more on personal nutrition and exercise routines. Mary Wilcox describes how dairy can play a big role.
Cheese Doctor
Protective cultures are an emerging and a growing area in the food industry, including for use in dairy products. Among other benefits, they can help reduce food waste and spoilage. Learn much more from Dr. John Lucey.
Tharp & Young on Ice Cream
“Ice cream is such fun!;” “It’s got to be easy!;” or “I’d love to take grandma’s secret recipe to market!” “Just tell us how to do it!” It seems simple to be an ice cream entrepreneur, but Bill Sipple and Steve Young explain it's far from simple. You need to have a game plan and avoid pitfalls.
Ingredient Showcase
Dairy Foods highlights the latest solutions in colors.
