Lifeway Foods unveils probiotic smoothie with collagen; Dippin’ Dots expands brand with first frozen grocery product; Whipnotic reaches new heights.
EAT. DRINK. DAIRY.
A PASSION FOR SKYR YOGURT
Painterland Sisters, an organic skyr yogurt brand focused on quality ingredients and organic regenerative dairy farming, is launching an exclusive new flavor, Passion Fruit, in Sprouts Farmer Market. “Launching this new flavor at Sprouts feels full circle for us. Sprouts was the first to bring our yogurts to shelves nationwide, and their unwavering support for farmer-owned brands like ours has meant the world. We couldn’t be more excited to share this tropical treat with Sprouts’ passionate customers,” said Stephanie and Hayley Painter, who craft their Icelandic-style yogurt at the Reykjavik Creamery in Newville, Pa. The lactose-free Skyr yogurt is thicker and creamier in texture than regular yogurt, contains 2 grams of sugar and 16 grams of protein per 5.3-ounce cup. In addition to Passion Fruit, Painterland Sisters offers a variety of flavors including Plain, Vanilla Bean, Blueberry Lemon, Strawberry Fields, Meadow Berry and Savannah’s Peach that are available for a suggested retail price of $2.99.
SHAKING UP ONE’S SKINCARE ROUTINE
Lifeway Foods Inc. announced its latest functional beverage innovation: Probiotic Smoothie + Collagen made with kefir cultures. Available in four flavors — Matcha Latte, Berry Blast, Tropical Fruit and Plain — the new line features 5 grams of collagen in each serving and is lactose-free, as consumer demand for lactose-free dairy products is predicted to grow rapidly over the next five years, the Morton Grove, Ill.-based company states. The company notes that its new product, in development since 2021, is the first probiotic collagen smoothie with 12 active kefir cultures to hit the market. Beneficial to support skin and gut health, Probiotic Smoothie + Collagen is part of the brand’s “New Year New You” campaign for 2025. The ready-to-drink smoothie is available at select independent and specialty stores for a suggested retail price $2.79 for a 32-ounce bottle.
CREAMY AND CRUNCHY YOGURT SNACKING
Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), a Rosemont, Ill.-based dairy checkoff, partnered with Minneapolis-based General Mills to create YoBark, a yogurt-based snack designed to give families a tasty option and expand yogurt’s presence in the snacking category. Available in a stand-up pouch in Strawberry and Honey Vanilla flavors, YoBark is refrigerated and combines the creaminess of yogurt with the crunchy texture of Nature Valley Granola, offering a multi-sensory flavor experience, according to DMI. The dairy checkoff has been working with General Mills on this concept since 2021, providing consumer insights on why “tweens” (ages 12 to 13) have decreased their yogurt consumption. DMI also provided new product concept development, package design and research and development support. The new snack is available at Albertson’s, Safeway and Walmart and will reach more retailers nationwide in the coming months.
EVERYTHING IS BETTER WITH BUTTER
Springfield Creamery, the third-generation, family-owned maker of Nancy’s Probiotic Foods, unveiled Nancy’s Organic Butter, a cultured and creamy European-style butter. The new Organic Butter is made with slowly churned organic cultured cream and is available in Sea Salted and Unsalted, with both varieties offering a rich, creamy texture and a delicate cultured flavor, elevating the simplest meals, the Eugene, Ore.-based company says. Nancy’s Organic Butter features a high butterfat content — 82% for Sea Salted and 83% for Unsalted — making it ideal for a wide range of culinary uses. Nancy’s Sea Salted Butter, made with a hint of sea salt, is perfect for finishing dishes with a flavorful touch, while the unsalted butter is a baker’s preference. European-style butter offers lower water content and a creamier texture, which can make cookies, pastries and crusts more tender and flakier, the creamery states. Nancy’s Organic Butter is made with organic milk, from pasture-raised cows on family farms, and is Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and kosher. Packaged in an eight-ounce, two-stick carton, Nancy’s Organic Butter is available at retailers in the western United States for a suggested retail price of $5.99.
A FUN DAY FOR A SUNDAE
Headquartered in Paducah, Ky., Dippin' Dots launched Ice Cream Sundaes, marking the brand's first expansion into the grocery freezer space. For the first time, Dippin' Dots fans will be able to enjoy the beaded ice cream brand in a new format in individually portioned cups. “This launch marks an exciting new chapter for the Dippin' Dots brand, and we're thrilled to bring this new product into homes across the country,” says Dan Fachner, president and CEO at J&J Snack Foods, Dippin’ Dots’ parent company. The deluxe, three-tiered sundae comes in two fan-favorite flavors, Cookies 'n Cream and Cotton Candy. Each sundae cup is packed with dots, cookie pieces, creamy ice cream, and topped with a flavored sauce. Dippin' Dots Ice Cream Sundaes debuted at Kroger, with plans to roll out to additional retailers throughout the year. Each box will include four, 4-ounce sundae cups at a suggested retail price of $6.99.
NO CAFFEINE ENSURES A SWEET DREAM
Louisville, Colo.-based STōK Cold Brew Coffee, a brand of Danone North America, introduced the first ready-to-drink (RTD) decaffeinated cold brew in grocery stores nationwide. With STōK Decaf Cold Brew, one’s cold brew cravings can be enjoyed anytime, day or night. With 30.2% of Gen Z already hopping on the decaf wave and with millennials also seeking coffee innovations that align with health-conscious values, STōK Decaf offers a bold and smooth experience for people who love coffee, but don't always want caffeine. STōK Decaf Cold Brew is available in the brand's top two performing roasts, Unsweet and Not Too Sweet, and with a freshly designed, white label to differentiate from the original items. The two new decaf offerings join the brand's core lineup of flavors. STōK Decaf Cold Brew is available in the refrigerated aisle for a suggested retail price of $6.49 for a 48-ounce bottle.
GARLICKY CHEESE, PLEASE
Kraft unveiled a limited-edition Everything Bagel Mac & Cheese flavor, available exclusively on Walmart.com for a suggested retail price of $1.58. The new Everything Bagel Mac & Cheese flavor melds together the cult-favorite spice with Kraft’s signature cheese sauce in a crave-worthy fusion of oniony, garlicky flavor, the company says. Kraft is only releasing 14,000 boxes of the new flavor, less than 2% of the number of boxes of Original Kraft Mac & Cheese the brand sells each day. “The release of Everything Bagel underscores a new flavor-focused expansion strategy Kraft is piloting to deliver on millennials’ desire for bolder flavor offerings from their favorite brands,” the company said.
THE LATEST FLAVOR INNOVATIONS
Milwaukee, Wis.-based Montchevre, a brand of Saputo USA, unlocked two new flavor innovations. Montchevre’s Cold Brew & Donuts goat cheese takes breakfast toast and brunch charcuterie boards to the next level with its blend of sweet and creamy flavors, while Montchevre's Mild Gouda-Style goat milk cheese adds a unique and tangy twist to any dish. “Launching a first-of-its-kind Cold Brew & Donuts goat cheese on the market is one more example of how we continue to offer our customers an even wider range of flavors to explore,” said Jenny Englert, marketing director of Saputo USA. Available in a 4-ounce log, Montchevre Cold Brew & Donuts is the only cold brew flavored goat cheese in the market, blending rich coffee donut sweetness, which opens the door for playfully cheesy desserts, snacks, and breakfast and brunch usage occasions, the company says. The Gouda-style goat milk cheese, available in a 5.3-ounce wedge, melds the creaminess of traditional gouda cheese with the subtle kick of a goat milk tang. Montchevre’s new goat cheeses are available in grocery retailers nationwide.
A SWIRL OF FLAVORFUL FUN
Founded by two sisters two years ago, Whipnotic continues to reach new heights as the fastest growing whipped cream brand on the market, the company says. Two new flavors, Peppermint Mocha and Apple Crisp, are designed to bring flavorful fun to desserts, beverages and more and will be available for a limited time. Fans can also try the brand’s original flavors: Peach Mango, Strawberry Swirl, Vanilla Salted Caramel and Brownie Batter. “When we founded Whipnotic just two years ago, we knew the market was ready for a fun, flavorful, colorful whipped cream. We’re thrilled Whipnotic is thriving,” says Lori Gitomer, co-founder and CEO of Whipnotic, who founded the company along with her sister, Tracy Luckow, Ph.D. Whipnotic’s creamy confections are keto-friendly, gluten-free, artificial flavor-free and have only 15 calories and 1 gram of sugar per serving. Through a simple press of Whipnotic’s innovative patented nozzle technology, a swirl of all-natural fruit juices and flavor essences infuses into the rich whipped cream. Whipnotic can be found in more than 1,000 stores nationwide including ShopRite, Central Market, Citarella and Market District and online at Whipnotic.com for a suggested retail price of $7.49-$8.99.
All images were provided by their respective companies. Used with permission. Company links available in the Editorial Index.
