The Midwest Dairy Association, Overland Park, Kan., introduces Gridiron Milk to schools and retail grocery stores for the 2007 NFL season via Omaha, Neb.-based processor Roberts Dairy Co. Gridiron Milk is packaged in 8-oz plastic resealable containers and features all 32 collective NFL team marks, as well as highlights NFLRush.com, the NFL’s interactive website for kids.

“Kids know milk helps athletes play well. Drinking Gridiron Milk at school and at home is one way kids can get the same nutritional benefits for their own growing bodies,” says Lori Lackner, Midwest Dairy retail marketing manager.

Gridiron Milk will be available year-round in an array of varieties, including fat-free, 1% and 2% white; fat-free and 2% chocolate; and fat-free strawberry. The goal for the Gridiron Milk product line is to increase overall milk sales and consumption. Adorned with the 3-A-Day of Dairy logo, Gridiron Milk also reminds families to get the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommended three daily dairy servings.

Elementary, middle and high schools in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska are being serviced with the Gridiron Milk product line. Schools that sell Gridiron Milk are eligible for incentives, including promotional items, sweepstakes and scholarship opportunities, as well as participation in dairy display contests. Consumers in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma can find the product at a variety of locations including retail grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, as well as in vending machines. Initially, Midwest Dairy is working with Roberts Dairy to distribute the product in the Midwest region. However, if processors in other parts of the country show interest in the product, it is possible that distribution of Gridiron Milk could become more widespread.

Straus Family Creamery, Marshall, Calif., has developed the first organic milk made just for coffee. Co-created by notable baristas and Straus milk experts, the milk highlights coffee flavors and maintains tight, uniform bubbles, all while adding a smooth, creamy texture.

“The coffee world has been obsessively taking apart the idea of coffee and espresso, in particular specific preparation, roasting and blending methodology,” said Mark Inman, president and green buyer for Taylor Maid Farms Organic Coffee and Tea, Sebastopol, Calif. “Yet in the United States only 8% to 10% of all drinks are solely espresso, the remaining are milk based. This is the next frontier in the barista’s quest for greatness.”

Inman and Albert Straus, president of the creamery, first collaborated in February to develop Barista Milk. The line includes whole milk, nonfat milk and half & half, all in plastic half-gallon jugs. Distribution is currently limited to the Western United States.

Deck the halls with bows of holly and your bowls with Tillamook Peppermint Candy ice cream. ‘Tis the season to enjoy Tillamook’s newest feature flavor, which perfectly intersperses rich chunks of peppermint candy in creamy peppermint-flavored ice cream.