A focus on face-to-face service and long-term customer relationships makes Leprino Foods Co., Denver, a global leader in cheese and ingredients.

Faced with stagnant growth and competition from non-dairy beverages, processors try to boost sales with flavored milk, new retail channels and new processes.

Whether it’s raw cheeses, unusually flavored options or a portion-control size, today’s cheese processors introduce a slew of crafty innovations.

Despite high energy costs, uncertain ingredient prices and a weak economy, processors continue to develop new ice cream and novelty products and flavors.

Sales rose although units dropped in the last year. Butter makers try new flavors to lure shoppers to the dairy case.

The beverage aisle bulks up as processors add protein, vitamins, antioxidants and other better-for-you ingredients to their team of teas, coffee, juices and water.

Processors find that smoother sailing on the export seas depends on managing global price volatility.

It’s hard to be optimistic with so many fundamentals in disarray - millions are out of work, the stock market gyrates daily and our President and Congress seem incapable of reaching agreement on ways to change our course or to even send a message that stability and hope lie ahead.