The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for the cheese category. While the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced demand for cheese in foodservice, the category's growth at retail was extensive, notes Kelly Slentz, associate brand manager, cheese for La Farge, Wis.-based Organic Valley.

Sargento Foods, Plymouth, Wis., said it released Sargento Balanced Breaks cheese and crackers snacks.

Schuman Cheese said it added portable single-serve pairings to its Cello brand.

Babybel, a brand of Chicago-based Bel Brands USA Inc., said it will introduce a range of functional dairy snacks this February in two varieties: Babybel Plus+ Probiotic and Babybel Plus+ Vitamins.

Americans' love affair with cheese is defying gravity. According to Chicago-based market research firm IRI, over the 52 weeks ending Sept. 6, 2020, natural cheese retail sales were swinging high through the air.

There has been a tremendous amount of innovation in the cheese snack category. This innovation is driven by consumers, who are increasingly choosing convenient, ready-to-eat snack options.

Farm Rich, a brand of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Rich Products Corp., says it added Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends frozen mozzarella shapes.

Whisps Snacks, New York, said it released two new flavors of its cheese crisps: Whisps Tangy Ranch and Whisps Nacho.

Borden Cheese, a licensed brand of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Kansas City, Kan., added Borden Cheese Crisps 'n Cubes. The offerings feature a duo of crunchy 100% oven-baked cheese (crisps) and 100% real cheese (cubes).

Président, a brand of the Lactalis Group, Laval, France, said it released three new cheese and snacking products: creamy brie with truffles, French Pairing Plates in sweet and savory flavors, and Snacking Cups in Pub Cheese and Rondelé varieties.