Product and promotion news

BelGioioso Cheese, Denmark, Wis., maker of award-winning, all-natural Italian cheeses since 1979, now offers all of its sliced cheese varieties in new easy-open packaging from Curwood. The line of high-quality sliced cheeses has transitioned out of tear tape and into Curwood’s Curpolene® 7202 film with IntegraScore® opening, which offers a more consistent and reliable means of opening versus tear tape. “We are constantly seeking to improve the quality of our packaging without compromising the quality of our cheeses,” says Errico Auricchio, president and founder of BelGioioso Cheese. The company produces and packages its high-quality cheeses in its Denmark and Pulaski, Wis., facilities.

Portland, Maine-based Oakhurst Dairy has announced the introduction of two new 1% low-fat milks æ cappuccino and French vanilla. Available in convenient pint bottles, they are the latest additions to the company’s lineup of flavored milks including 1% low-fat chocolate, coffee and strawberry. “Customers are looking for drinks that deliver on taste, nutrition and convenience, making Oakhurst flavored milks a great addition to our core milk business,” says Jim Lesser, marketing director for Oakhurst. “Our diverse flavor profile has something for everyone whether you’re a traditional chocolate milk fan or an Italian coffee drinker in search of a fine Cappuccino.” According to Lesser, recent milk industry trend reports compiled by Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) show flavored milk volume sales growing consistently at over 2 percent. “We plan to be aggressive in rolling out new flavors to give our consumers what they want—healthy milk in a variety of tastes for the whole family,” he says. In other Oakhurst news, the 4-H Dairy Program hit the road this exposition season with competitions at agriculture fairs throughout Maine and New Hampshire. 4-H, known for its commitment to youth development programs that promote an appreciation for land and animals, took the spotlight at these local events. Last month, Oakhurst announced its continued support of the 4-H Dairy Program æ inspiring kids who have a passion for dairy farming. The competitions help teach youth through hands-on learning experiences. Boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18 strut their stuff showing off cows they have groomed, clipped and cared for. For the third year in a row, champions from each class in the showmanship category received checks from Oakhurst for $100 as well as Oakhurst banners recognizing their winning efforts.

He has shared the stage with Aerosmith and Garrison Keillor. He even inspired the Grammy award-winning song “Spoonman” by Soundgarden and has been a guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Now Artis The Spoonman is the star of an exclusive video as part of Dairy Queen’s newly redesigned Blizzard® Fan Club Web site, www.blizzardfanclub.com. On the site, visitors will find video of Spoonman playing blues, classical, country, punk and five other musical styles with his signature spoons. Any of these videos of the world’s greatest spoons player can be e-mailed to family and friends. Today, the Blizzard Fan Club is nearly 1.4 million members strong. All fans will enjoy the newly redesigned site, the first step in a multi-phase process where the current, successful fan club will evolve into an online community where Blizzard fanatics will love to visit and interact, DQ says. In addition to “SpoonTones,” the site now includes a variety of fun, quirky interactive features.