In episode 32 of the “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast, Ryan Gillespie, vice president of marketing at Plymouth, Wis.-based Sartori Cheese, discusses food service and retail. 

Ice cream maker Chip Graeter traded in a hairnet for a hardhat today as he toured reporters through the company’s soon-to-be opened ice cream shop in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook. 

According to IRI, in the past year, grocery and drug channels experienced flat to negative trip frequency and declining basket size, while the Internet saw a modest uptick in both frequency and trip spending. 

National Dairy Month-themed ads were in abundance this survey period. A number of ads offered dairy products as “2 for the price of 1” specials.

New dairy products, like cooking creams and seasoned butters, are causing grocers to re-think the dairy aisles. These foods do not fit neatly into established categories like fluid dairy products, butter or cheese. 

Processors can partner with grocery retailers to sell more dairy foods and beverages. The Innovation Center tested five consumer-insight-driven merchandising concepts addressing the breakfast, snacking and dinner eating occasions.