Through major expansion, First District Association readies itself for the next century. It invested  $200 million to update and expand plant and product capacity so “the cooperative is set up to thrive in the next 100 years,” CEO Bob Huffman relays.

Upcycled brewery byproducts unlock new barley flours, sustainable proteins for ready-to-drink beverages. Managing Editor Barbara Harfmann tours St. Louis-based EverGrain by AB InBev to learn about EverPro, a powdered ingredient taking the market by storm. 

Sunny-tasting fruits and fibrous nuts exemplify health and flavor in dairy products, including.ice cream, cheese, milk and yogurt. Because of their healthy halo, nut products are projected to reach $8.9 billion by 2027, according to Research and Markets.

Gums, emulsifiers, stabilizers help extend shelf life, improve creamy texture of ice cream, yogurt.

Prebiotics work as a fertilizer to boost growth of “good” bacteria, probiotics. Choosing the right pre-, pro- or postbiotic strains can help with unintentional weight gain, fatigue, sickness, and digestive health, experts note.
 

Chef-inspired dishes and creamy innovation at the “House that Cheddar Built.” Managing Editor Barbara Harfmann and 13 members of the media got a birds-eye view of TCCA’s cheese processing operations, tasted their premium ice cream and much more. 

Yogurt, cream cheese are loved to the moon and back as per cultured dairy sales. IRI reports that yogurt, No. 3 on IRI’s Dairy15 Top Categories list, generated $8.4 billion in dollar sales and an 8.6% YoY growth. No. 9 on the list, cream cheese sales totaled $2.3 billion with 8% YoY growth.

Versatile butter is “old reliable” for baking, on top of toast, while snacking spreads appeal to consumer cravings.  

With 13.2% growth, RFG grated cheese leads category, followed by cheese cubes at 9.7% 

Dairy processors pioneer passion for protein products and ingredients.