Nestlé has pledged that it will buy only commercial horizontal ice cream chest freezers that use natural refrigerants.

  Dairy processor news from Nestle, Great Lakes Cheese and more.

 In October, Chobani Inc., New Berlin, N.Y., donated $1.5 million to Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., to promote innovation in dairy and food science. 

The food industry is feeling ripple effects from rising food and fuel prices, new benefit costs due to the 2010 Affordable Care Act, modest income growth following the 2013 payroll tax increase, and weak consumer confidence due to fiscal uncertainty.

WhiteWave, Saputo and Lifewaythis month reported their quarterly sales for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2013. 

The U.S. Dairy Export Council, Arlington, Va., projects that by the end of this year the value of U.S. dairy exports will total $6.5 billion, up more than 25% from 2012.

 There is no stopping the caffeinated beverage. Sales of refrigerated, ready-to-drink coffee soar in the last year. Refrigerated juices and juice blends do well, too. 

 Processors create line extensions with new flavors and more convenient packaging. 

Processors combine tropical fruit flavors in ice cream and fruit bars. They look to the bakery aisle for inspiration and develop “dessert within a dessert” creations like red velvet cake and S’mores ice cream.