Recent studies found organic foods are no more nutritious than conventionally grown varieties. But some consumers buy organic products to avoid pesticides and antibiotics. Dairy brands have created new products and have branched out to new retail channels.

There are many contenders in the world of nondairy beverages and new ones keep pouring in. Manufacturers of waters, juices, coffees and teas have to continually find ways to set their offerings apart from the competition.

Give the shopper what she wants. A survey showed that high-quality ingredients were important to consumers, so Brown Cow, Antioch, Calif., re-did its lids.

When consumers choose to purchase natural and organic items, 86% buy dairy products, said David Browne, senior analyst at Mintel, a market research firm. Those who buy natural and organic foods and beverages are most likely to purchase eggs (73%), milk (69%), yogurt (67%) and cheese (65%), according to a Mintel report from November 2011.

Each flavor made by Salt & Straw Ice Cream includes local, organic and sustainable ingredients. The Portland, Ore.-based company opened in May 2011 with the goal of featuring the “best Oregon has to offer, through ice cream.” The owners call their business a “farm-to-cone” company.

Expect to see some new feature flavors—in both the natural and churned lines—this year from Velvet Ice Cream Co., Utica, Ohio. And while president Luconda Dager is hush-hush about other 2012 plans, she says what won’t change is the company’s continued focus on quality and value.

Mikawaya is a Vernon, Calif.-based candy maker and ice cream processor that is on the move with new products and formats backed by social media marketing. The company plans to expand its ice cream offerings with its first pint line — Mikawaya Exottics — to be released as early as this April.

Philip R’s Frozen Desserts made headlines in 2010 with its award-winning Lollibons (picture an ice cream lollipop or a cake pop on a stick). The Swiss vanilla almond Lollibon was selected as a silver finalist for Outstanding Perishable Foodservice Product in the 2010 sofi Awards from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. In 2011, the novelty received a top award from the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product contest in the creative and innovative class.

The Hood Sportsmanship Scholarships awarded by Lynnfield, Mass.-based HP Hood is now in its third year of recognizing high school seniors in New England.

In 2011, Prairie Farms Dairy, Hazelwood, Mo., decided to incorporate its milk and cultured products into its “Make Tracks at the Zoo” sponsorship at this annual St. Louis Zoo event. (Previously, ice cream items had been the focus of the processor’s participation.)