Apple Pie Parfait by The YoCrunch Co. was named the most innovative cultured dairy product at a recent competition judged by dairy professionals. The yogurt-based dessert contains pieces of real apple and a cinnamon-crunch crust topping.
In addition to old standbys like mac and cheese, restaurant chains create dishes like spicy beef queso and Parmesan-crusted walleye.
June 6, 2012
Restaurant operators keep things fresh by revamping their menus and developing new dishes. The dairy foods industry has benefitted big time. Cheese, ice cream, sour cream and other dairy foods are appearing throughout these new menus. They are incorporated into appetizers, main and side dishes, desserts and beverages.
Waitrose is donating 10,000 servings of its Diamond Jubilee Strawberry Crumble Crunch at the June 4 Diamond Jubilee concert honoring Queen Elizabeth II.
Heluva Good!, a brand of sour cream dips, cheeses and condiments from HP Hood, Lynnfield, Mass., added a new limited-edition sour cream dip flavor: Black Bean Queso.
Consumers recognize that cultured dairy products (including yogurt, cottage cheese and fermented milk beverages) are healthy and good-for-you choices. Health professionals consider cultured dairy foods to be nutrient-dense foods, meaning they have a high nutrient-to-energy ratio.
Dairy processors make gains on average prices, but unit sales of yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream all fall in the latest 52 weeks.
May 14, 2012
While unit sales decreased 3% in the yogurt category, dollar sales were up almost 9% to $4.7 billion and the average price per unit increased 13 cents, for the 52 weeks ended March 18. According to Chicago-based SymphonyIRI Group, No. 3 Agro Farma Inc., New Berlin, N.Y., the maker of Chobani Greek yogurt, posted the largest gains. Dollar sales were up 128% to $704 million and unit sales rose 132%.
The Apollo Food Group LLC, Boston, has launched an all-natural frozen Greek yogurt smoothie product in three varieties: mango pineapple, mixed berry and strawberry banana.