2026 February

The February eMagazine highlights the innovation of Jenni’s Splendid Ice Creams in our Processor and Inside the Plant articles. While great-tasting products and flavors made with carefully sourced ingredients are central to the brand’s success, we get the scoop on franchising plans for the 25-year-old manufacturer. We explore the “all-pro” lineup of cottage cheese and yogurt in fueling Olympic and FIFA World Cup athletes,and examine fruits/nuts and inclusions’ dominance in ice cream and more. What’s new in rigid and flexible packaging? Expanding milk sales of nearly $18B, the growth in A2 milk and Pioneer Pastures’ founding, and demineralizing milk also are covered; plus much more!

Left to right: Scott Hargove, Poe Timmons and Beth Stallings posing in front of Jeni's photos on the wall.

Processor Profile

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams continues to see new avenues for growth

Frozen novelties and collaborations among many of the company’s successes.

Brian Berk

February 16, 2026

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream has grown steadily and is on track to reach over $150 million in 2025 revenue. Originating in Columbus, Ohio, it is now a nationally recognized brand.

Scoops of buttercrunch ice cream with walnuts in an ice cream glass on a blue plate sitting on a dark gray table. The plate contains two walnuts on one side and a spoon on the other.

Ingredient Technologies

Sweet treats and savory heat: How dairy inclusions differentiate ice cream and beverages

Fruits, nuts and dairy-based inclusions deliver texture, crunch and flavor complexity.

Barbara Harfmann

February 20, 2026

Discover how fruits, nuts, and textural delights are revolutionizing dairy and beverages, enhancing flavor and setting new standards for health and sustainability. From premium ice cream to innovative yogurt, explore the trends shaping this delicious culinary evolution!

Woman in athleisure outfit pouring liquid yogurt into a container, while standing by the kitchen island. The background is a blurred kitchen.

Outlook Report: Cultured Dairy

The protein power of cottage cheese, yogurt fuels Olympic and FIFA World Cup athletes

Refrigerated yogurt, RTD yogurt generate double-digit growth.

Barbara Harfmann

February 12, 2026

With the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place this month and the upcoming FIFA World Cup, cultured dairy is playing an important part in athletes' training and recovery. Protein-packed products are in high demand.

Hand reaching for a jug of milk on a shelf full of rows of milk.

Market Trends

Fairlife, Organic Valley among brands leading milk sales higher

Annual milk consumption declines appear to be a distant memory.

Brian Berk

February 6, 2026

Milk consumption appears to be rebounding, with the Dairy Milk category seeing a 3% increase in dollar sales to $17.7 billion. Similarly, the Refrigerated White Dairy Milk subcategory reported a 3% rise to $15.8 billion. While unit sales remained flat, this growth in revenue suggests a renewed consumer interest in milk.

Let's Talk Dairy graphic with a boom microphone and colorful blurred background.

Let's Talk Dairy Podcast

Episode 61 — What the future holds for A2 milk

Pioneer Pastures CEO joins “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast

Brian Berk

February 3, 2026

Jeff Mroz, co-founder of Pioneer Pastures, joins Dairy Foods for Episode 61 of the “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast. He discusses A2 milk and his company.

Technicians in uniform and gloves collaborating in quality control procedures inside a dairy plant.

Membrane Technologies

Milk demineralization a critical step for processors

As product specifications tighten and global demand for high-value dairy ingredients continues to grow, processors are increasingly relying on membrane technologies.

Sammy Bredar

February 23, 2026

Explore how membrane technologies are changing milk demineralization to meet the rising demand for high-value dairy ingredients while balancing efficiency and product quality.

Cropped image of a person typing on a laptop on a desk.

Editor's Letter

Predicting the future for dairy

Dairy Foods presents many expected trends posed by the experts.

Brian Berk

February 4, 2026

Normally, I run my predictions for the upcoming year in January. This year, I'm doing it in February, and I will summarize many of the prediction trends I have seen throughout the industry. Many of the experts have a great story about the future to tell.

A person adding seeds to a small bowl of food on a scale. Another bowl is on the side.

Culturally Speaking

Cultured dairy holds the key to proper GLP-1 diets

Yogurt and cottage cheese are tremendous products for these consumers.

K.J. Burrington

February 18, 2026

A quick look at the composition of some cultured dairy products shows that they are well designed for GLP-1 diets. High-protein yogurts, including skyr and Greek yogurt, are the first products that comes to mind.

Variety of ice cream including ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and ice cream bars laid out on a table.

Tharp & Young on ice cream

Why is ice cream both ultra-processed and hyperpalatable?

This does not mean it is unhealthy, however.

Steven Young

Bill Sipple

February 11, 2026

The healthfulness of ultra-processed foods often sparks debate, particularly regarding the definitions of "hyper-palatable." Many associate these foods with being unnatural and inherently unhealthy, overlooking scientific considerations to the contrary.

Health & Wellness

How dairy plays a huge role in satiety

Proteins are generally recognized as more satisfying than carbohydrates which are more satisfying than fats.

Mary Wilcox

February 9, 2026

As individuals eat, two processes occur: satiation and satiety. Satiation is the gradual feeling of fullness during a meal, influenced by factors like sight, smell, and texture. Satiety, explained by Mary Wilcox, is the satisfied state after finishing a meal.

Gardner ribbon mixer on a white background.

Equipment Showcase

Equipment suppliers provide solutions for mixers and blenders

February 27, 2026

Dairy Foods highlights solutions for mixers and blenders.

A cow is balancing on top of DuPont’s FilmTec Hypershell XP RO‑803 on a white background.

Membrane Technology Showcase

Technology suppliers unveil the latest solutions in membrane technologies

February 26, 2026

Technology suppliers latest solutions in membrane technologies.

Customers sitting on orang bar stools outside of Jeni's ice cream store eating ice cream.

Inside the Plant

The reason behind Jeni’s franchise model

The company believes the move will make it an even stronger brand.

Brian Berk

February 25, 2026

Discover the reason behind Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams franchise model and why the move will make the brand even stronger.

Automated factory milk production process.

Packaging Technologies

Flexible packaging to continue its upward pace

Growth is expected to be steady in the category

Brian Berk

February 24, 2026

The dairy processing industry is evolving, leading to advances in packaging. According to Future Market Insights Inc., the global dairy packaging market is projected to grow from $25.9 billion in 2025 to $39.2 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%.

3-A Today

Validating cleaning performance in dairy processing equipment

In rigorous protocols, food often requires three successful cleaning runs.

Sharif Uddin

February 17, 2026

Cleaning and sanitizing dairy processing equipment is a complex task influenced by the nature of dairy products, intricate equipment designs, strict regulatory standards (FSMA, PMO), and environmental conditions. Inadequate sanitation can lead to product recalls and outbreaks, especially when manual cleaning is required for dry systems or equipment with complex internal geometries, such as heat exchangers.