Dippin' Dots, a Paducah, Ky.-based manufacturer of flash-frozen beaded ice cream treats, said it is launching a partnership with Incredible Eats, the first brand that offers edible spoons in an effort to create an eco-friendlier environment. The spoons come in two flavors, vanilla and chocolate, and can be paired with any flavor ice cream. Dippin' Dots has shipped the spoons to all locations to begin sampling, and the spoons will then start to roll out across the country.

The Kraft Heinz Co., headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, announced the appointment of Dafne Hefner to the newly created role of chief strategy and transformation officer – North America Zone, effective Jan. 18, 2022.

Hefner joins Kraft Heinz from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, where she most recently served as senior vice president of strategy and insights. During her tenure, Hefner was a driving force behind establishing long-term company goals, creating a focused portfolio strategy, addressing brand renovation and delivering an aggressive innovation agenda, Kraft Heinz said.

Tthe Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) said it will livestream the World Champion Cheese announcement on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. (CT) at WorldChampionCheese.org.

The 2022 Contest will be closed to the public, Madison, Wis.-based WCMA said, but each day — March 1-3 — “fans of great cheese” may also follow along on social media (https://www.facebook.com/WorldChampionshipCheeseContest) for exclusive interviews with judges and competitors, a behind-the-scenes look with industry insiders and more. Following two and a half days of rigorous technical evaluation, the contest culminates with the 2:00 p.m. announcement March 3 of the Top 20 cheeses in the world — and the winner of the prestigious World Champion title.

WCMA, host of the contest, said it is accepting entries until Jan. 26, 2022 at WorldChampionCheese.org.

Krysta Harden, the first woman to lead the U.S. Dairy Export Council and a former U.S. Agriculture Department deputy secretary, was elected board chair by the National 4-H Council board of trustees.

Harden will focus on extending opportunity to all American youth by leading National 4-H Council’s ambitious three-year strategic plan, advancing 4-H’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and deepening the board’s collaborative work with Cooperative Extension and USDA to grow 4-H programs, Arlington, Va.-based USDEC said.

Dairy Management Inc., Rosemont, Ill., said Alexis Glick will step down as CEO of the checkoff-founded GENYOUth organization on July 1 to pursue other opportunities.

During Glick’s tenure, GENYOUth raised $200 million in support of programs that promote the health and wellbeing of youth, including the checkoff-founded Fuel Up to Play 60 program done in partnership with the NFL. She has helped develop partnerships with leading companies, including PepsiCo, SAP and others, that led to the creation of the End Student Hunger Fund to increase access to school meals, including milk and dairy, among food insecure youth.

Glick, who has served in this role since GENYOUth was founded 10 years ago, has begun transitioning her day-to-day responsibilities to Ann Marie Krautheim, who has been with GENYOUth since 2012. Krautheim most recently served as GENYOUth president and chief wellness officer as a longtime registered dietitian.

In a move to enhance their focus on strategic priorities, the Dairy Business Association (DBA) and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced the promotion of Tim Trotter to a new position of CEO. Trotter had been executive director of the Green Bay, Wis.-based sister organizations since 2015.

The groups said they advocate for members on governmental policy — DBA at the state level in Wisconsin and Edge at the federal level — and provide other services. DBA’s members are in Wisconsin, and Edge’s members are located throughout the Upper Midwest.

The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA), Madison, Wis., said it welcomed Heather Prach as the association’s new education director. Prach comes to the IDDBA with considerable retail experience, in both operations and as a supplier.

Most recently she helped large retailers and entrepreneurs alike with branding and marketing as a key account manager for Yerecic Label, IDDBA said. Prach transitioned an extensive grocery career into organizational growth through gained knowledge. As a regional grocery leader for Whole Foods Market, she was key in rapidly expanding the region and creating tools to improve grocery operations.

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the resumption of its student ambassador internship program in which students represent Real California Milk internationally. Applications are now open for college students to represent Real California Milk this summer in Mexico.

The interns, selected from students enrolled in agriculture-related programs at colleges and universities throughout the state, will be chosen based on academic achievement, connection to the dairy industry and a willingness to travel abroad and learn more about international dairy sales and marketing — as well as a plan to work in the California dairy industry in the future, Tracy, Calif.-based CMAB said.

Over the six-week period, interns will spend time with Imalinx, the CMAB marketing organization located in Mexico, to gain a better understanding of these markets, consumer buying habits and promotional efforts on behalf of California’s dairy industry.

Interested candidates must submit a completed application, essay and other requirements by Feb. 1, 2022. Additional information is available here.

Murcia, Spain-based Blendhub, which operates the world's first multi-localized network of powder-based food production hubs, and Nucaps, a Noáin, Spain-headquartered nanotechnology development platform, said they signed a strategic alliance to develop personalized functional ingredients for the nutrition and health industries.

Nucaps developed a pioneering encapsulation technology for the industrial development of nanocapsules and biocapsules for bioactives and probiotics. These natural protein capsules improve the preservation of the active ingredients, providing them with greater efficacy and stability, and are free of preservatives. In addition, the technological capacity of Nucaps enables personalization of food products and adaption of the developments to an infinite number of substances, applications and final recipes, the companies said.

These microencapsulated powdered ingredients — antioxidants, probiotics, flavors, essential oils, vitamins, anticarcinogens and more — can be introduced into all types of food matrices and provide additional nutrients to improve health; for example, they can be applied to strengthen the immune system, prevent obesity, regulate metabolism or delay aging, the companies said.

BW Packaging Systems, the St. Louis-based packaging equipment arm of Barry-Wehmiller, announced the appointment of Michelle Bryson to the role of global sustainable packaging leader. Bryson will lead the development of a sustainability roadmap for BW Packaging Systems and collaborate with team members and customers on several fronts, including the usage of responsible materials, recyclability, packaging design, waste, carbon footprint reduction and more.

Bryson brings more than 30 years of packaging development experience to Barry-Wehmiller, the company said. In her previous roles with Wells Enterprises and PepsiCo, she developed and supported the development of packaging innovation and sustainability roadmaps.

St. Louis-headquartered technology and industrial software company Emerson said it was named the “Industrial IoT Company of the Year” by IoT Breakthrough — an honor awarded to the company four of the last five years. IoT Breakthrough, which received nearly 4,000 nominations for the 2022 competition, recognizes Emerson’s technology and software innovation, which is helping customers in essential industries realize safer, more efficient and sustainable operations.