PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, described the changing face of the North American dairy industry in its report, “Dairy Industry — A Market Assessment” (September 2013). Consumers were, and still are, attracted to new products, flavors and packaging to match their on-the-go lifestyles. Retailers, naturally, pass those demands on to their suppliers.

At Kraft Foods Group, George Zoghbi was appointed to the newly created executive position of Vice Chairman, Operations, R&D, Sales and Strategy. Howard Friedman steps into Zoghbi's former role as executive vice president and president, Cheese & Dairy.

Where is the 2014 Plant of the Year? The answer will be known in July after the voting has ended. Cast your vote now.

Cheese production is steady to increasing across most of the country and manufacturing milk supplies heading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend are heavy, reports Dairy Market News this week.

Fal Foods USA opened a manufacturing plant in Queens, New York to produce DF Mavens nondairy desserts. Unilever’s Breyers started offering 36 gluten-free ice cream varieties in May. Mayfield Dairy, Birmingham, Ala., received the Dean Foods CEO Quality Award for ice cream. 

On May 16, Mr. Whitehead passed away at his home in Paramus, N.J., surrounded by his family. He managed Dairylea plants in Woodside Queens and Goshen, N.Y., and was president of Dellwood Foods. 

Joseph Gallo Farms uses energy-efficient equipment and cutting-edge technology in its cheese plant help to conserve energy and at least 2.9 billion gallons of water each year, in addition to accepting as much as 10 million gallons of stormwater and wastewater each day from local communities to use for irrigation.

Biery Cheese Co., Louisville, Ohio, received a $1 million loan from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to upgrade its plant in Plover, Wis. The loan is part of a planned $19.7 million project that is expected to create 31 full-time jobs and retain 111 positions at the new location.

Milkco Inc., Asheville, N.C., received the Member of the Year award from All Star Association Inc. at the association’s 56th annual convention in Orlando, Fla., in March. Milkco, a subsidiary of the grocery chain Ingles Markets, also provides dairy, citrus, tea, ice cream mix and bottled water to foodservice distributors, grocery warehouses and independent specialty retailers in 10 states.