Looking to 2026

Another year is ready to pass us in the rear-view mirror. We are about to welcome 2026. Before we end the year, however, I want to congratulate Lifeway Foods on being named Dairy Foods’ 2025 Processor of the Year. I do not want to steal the thunder of this year’s cover story, but the increase in kefir sales has been tremendous, with Lifeway responsible for a significant portion of this growth. Lifeway Foods also has gone way beyond just selling kefir products, so check out the cover story to learn more.

I look forward to presenting Lifeway Foods with its Processor of the Year award at IDFA Dairy Forum in Palm Desert, Calif., next month.

Now on to 2026. One change you will see next year is a significant expansion of our membrane technology coverage. I have tapped Sammy Bredar, associate group editor for Dairy Foods, to write a monthly membrane technology feature. Membrane technology, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and wastewater reduction are important topics that few other magazines are covering as extensively.

Sammy has written many stories about membrane technologies already, which you can check out on www.dairyfoods.com. Her articles will run in tandem with our Membrane Technology Forum, set to take place June 15-17, 2026, at the Doubletree by Hilton Bloomington in Minneapolis.

Another big change will occur in June, when we will have our first Health and Wellness issue. Although we have featured these topics, it’s time for a full issue on the subject. Many experts agree that health and wellness trends and continued use of GLP-1 receptor agonists medications are a major factor driving sales of products in certain dairy categories. Look for a whole host of stories on health and wellness in that issue, including features on weight management and protein.

Beyond these major changes, look for five Processor Profiles and accompanying Inside the Plant features next year, the return of the Sustainability Issue, Dairy Top 100, Plant of the Year, Processor of the Year and Breakthrough Award for Ingredient Innovation. And I am also announcing the return of the Product of the Year award next year, for which more than 8,000 people cast votes in 2025.

Of course, if you have any ideas on topics we should be covering, please don’t hesitate to reach out to berkb@bnpmedia.com. I am always interested in hearing your ideas on how we could improve the publication.

As we explained in last month’s State of the Industry report, we are ending 2025 on a high note regarding dairy product sales. Hence, I wish everyone happy holidays and a happy new year. I am looking forward to consuming many of your products during the holiday period, including ice cream, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, butter, milk and more.

Speak to you in 2026. DF

Brian Berk is Editor-in-Chief of Dairy Foods. Contact him at 516-402-1369 or berkb@bnpmedia.com.