Kathie Canning

Position dairy products for niche markets

April 17, 2020

When it comes to foods that pregnant women crave, ice cream certainly ranks among the top 10. And now pregnant women across the United States can satisfy their cravings with an ice cream product that's actually endorsed by pregnancy experts.

Silk's strict allergen-control practices

Because Silk must share its manufacturing operations with Danone North America’s other brands, including dairy brands, the brand put into place strict allergen-control practices

Kathie Canning

April 8, 2020

Because much of what Danone North America produces under its other brands falls into dairy territory, the company's plants must be very careful in managing the dairy/nondairy product mix.

Silk is a plant-based products pioneer

Silk introduced its first soy-based beverage decades ago; the Danone North America brand is now a leader in plant-based product innovation that goes well beyond soy

Kathie Canning

April 3, 2020

Back in 1977, milk, the genuine dairy kind, was still a mealtime staple for most families. In fact, per-capita fluid milk consumption stood at 247 pounds, a whopping 101 pounds more than the tally in 2018, according to data from the USDA Economic Research Service.

Natural cheese is on a natural high

Natural cheese continues to grow at retail, while processed cheese struggles

Kathie Canning

April 3, 2020

It used to be that a grilled cheese sandwich called for American cheese. And a party demanded a processed cheese ball.

Dairy execs weigh in on coronavirus-related efforts and challenges, Part 1

Dairy processors continue to operate as part of a subset of industries deemed essential to continued critical infrastructure viability.

Kathie Canning

March 27, 2020

As of March 26, 22 U.S. states had issued stay-at-home orders, and many “nonessential” businesses had closed. But food and beverage manufacturers, including dairy processors, continue to operate as part of a subset of industries deemed essential to continued critical infrastructure viability.

It’s time for a dairy pep rally

Kathie Canning

March 17, 2020

It's hard to beat a pep rally as a means to spur excitement among a collective high school student body before a big game. It's been a while (quite a while) since I was in high school, but I can close my eyes and still hear the cheers and the fight song thundering in the confines of my school's gymnasium.

Good times for frozen novelties

But ice cream/ice milk desserts and ice pops posted mixed results

Kathie Canning

March 17, 2020

While the retail ice cream category has seen sales flatten and even tumble slightly in recent years, its novelties cousin has fared much better.

Ingredients for coffee, tea and juice provide new opportunities

Armed with natural sweeteners, exciting flavors, functional ingredients and more, processors of ready-to-drink coffee, tea and juice have opportunities galore

Kathie Canning

March 12, 2020

Three or four decades ago, consumers had few choices when it came to ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The available assortment consisted mainly of milk, soft drinks, juice/fruit drinks and alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer.

Reignite ice cream sales

A focus on healthy indulgence is one way processors could win within the ice cream space

Kathie Canning

March 9, 2020

Like many other U.S. retail food categories, the ice cream category has been awash with innovation during the past few years. From lower-sugar, higher-protein formulations and portion-controlled offerings to "ice cream" that's ... well ... not really ice cream.

Processors should defend dairy

Kathie Canning

February 21, 2020

Last month, I received a rather interesting email from a PR firm representing the Silk nondairy brand. The email informed me that the Golden Globes would be joining the "dairy-free movement by serving a totally vegan, plant-based award ceremony dinner to Hollywood’s biggest stars."