News - Articles - Page 329

Artisan cheesemakers grow in skill, numbers and prestige

Sharon Gerdes Health and Wellness editor of Dairy Foods

September 6, 2017

Making cheese predates recorded history, but artisan cheesemaking in the U.S. is a relatively new industry. According to a 2016 American Cheese Society (ACS) report, there are more than 900 artisan, farmstead and specialty cheesemakers operating in the United States. While a few artisan cheesemakers have been in business for over 100 years, the average has been making cheese for only 15 years.

The FDA permits ultrafiltered milk in cheesemaking

The dairy industry had been working with FDA for nearly two decades to allow the use of ultrafiltered milk in cheeses such as Cheddar, mozzarella, Colby and brick.

September 4, 2017

The dairy industry received good news on the regulatory front in August. The Food and Drug Administration granted enforcement discretion for the use and labeling of ultrafiltered (UF) milk in all standardized cheeses and related cheese products covered by the federal standards of identity.

Processor news

Wisconsin cheese companies send over 17,000 pounds of cheese to Houston

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board helped coordinate a state-wide effort to send cheese to those affected by the hurricane.

September 1, 2017

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board helped coordinate a state-wide effort to send cheese to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Forklift operator in a warehouse photo by Vito Palmisano for Dairy Foods

Opportunities abroad

As China's dairy market gets fierce, domestic products still lag

Wen’s Dairy has commissioned a new processing plant in the Pearl River delta.

August 31, 2017

China’s dairy market is getting more competitive. Consumers, however, prefer imported dairy products over domestic ones, due to the lack of confidence and price advantages, according to the analysts at CCM, data & business intelligence.

Strategies

Arla pumps up its sales team to grow the business

Arla has placement in more than 6,000 stores, including Sam’s Club, Costco, Kroger, Publix and a ‘who’s who’ of regionals banners.

James Carper

August 23, 2017

The U.S. arm of Arla, the Denmark-based dairy cooperative, is growing fast. The company has placement of its natural cheeses and cream cheese in 6,000 stores in the United States.

Ice cream sales see a boost

Ice cream and some frozen novelty sales are climbing, though it’s a different story for sherbet and frozen dairy desserts.

Sarah M. Kennedy

August 4, 2017

Dollar and unit sales for the ice cream category were looking good as numbers ticked up. Some frozen novelties also enjoyed a sales boost, but many struggled. Meanwhile, sales dropped for sherbet, sorbet and frozen dairy desserts.

Ice cream promotions

Blue Bunny and A&W team up for National Root Beer Float Day

Root Beer Float Day is Aug. 6 and customers can receive $1 off root beer float ingredients.

August 3, 2017

With this special promotion running from Aug. 6 through Aug. 31, customers can receive $1 off root beer float ingredients.

Ice cream news

Halo Top Creamery is now the best-selling pint of ice cream in the U.S.

Sales of Halo Top now surpass that of industry leaders like Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs, said the company.

August 2, 2017

Surpassing industry leaders, Halo Top becomes the No. 1 best-selling pint of ice cream in U.S. grocery stores, according to the company.

Back to school

Apply to UC Davis applied sensory and consumer science program

The program provides sensory science professionals with course experience and a forum for exchanging ideas.

July 31, 2017

The University of California-Davis Extension is accepting applications to its Applied Sensory and Consumer Science Certificate Program. Applications are due Sept. 15.

Conventional wisdom

There’s too much organic milk in the market

One possibility is that more organic milk will flow into conventional markets until a new organic dairy equilibrium develops.

July 28, 2017

Some large organic dairy processors see 5.5% growth in U.S. organic milk production this year. An increase closer to 1% would be more to the liking of some processors in terms of expanding processing, distribution and sales.