2026 March

The March eMagazine features 80 years of cheesemaking legacy from California-based Joseph Gallo Farms. With a commitment to creating lactose-free cheese, the dairy has grown its string cheese portfolio by 116%. We explore sugar reduction and its impact on health and wellness, discuss how membrane technology extends the shelf life of dairy products, and celebrate 10 fascinating Women in Dairy for their leadership and tenacity. We explore cheesemaking equipment, new content from expert columnist, new products and more.

Exterior shot of Joseph Gallo Farms surrounded by grass and blue skies.

Processor Profile

Joseph Gallo Farms celebrates 80 years of California cheesemaking prowess

Award-winning California cheesemaker releases new products, predicts strong future.

Barbara Harfmann

March 16, 2026

Joseph Gallo Farms, a third-generation cheese company based in Atwater, California, is celebrating 80 years in business! Known for crafting over 80 SKUs, their String Cheese is a standout growth driver since its 2025 launch, alongside award-winning lactose-free varieties like Monterey Jack, Cheddar, and Mozzarella, all made from "real" California milk.

Membrane Technology: Improving Dairy Product Shelf Life

Membrane filtration helps processors extend shelf life of milk, cheese and other dairy products without compromising flavor or quality.

Sammy Bredar

March 23, 2026

Longer shelf life depends on the full extended shelf life chain: membranes, heat treatment, hygienic processing and precise cold storage.

Two female farmers are standing in a field, holding a large milk canister, looking at several cows at dairy farm.

Outlook Report | Part One

Honoring Women Leaders Shaping the Dairy Industry

Tenacity, hard work and mentorship pay dividends on road to success.

Barbara Harfmann

March 11, 2026

For the fourth consecutive year, Dairy Foods is proud to highlight and celebrate 10 fascinating women who share their personal journeys in the dairy industry, mentors who inspired them, and how their company/brands are adapting to shifting consumer trends and economic pressures. Check out part one of our two-month feature.

A yogurt parfait with layers of granola, blueberries and raspberries, with a spoon on the table on the left. The background is white.

Ingredient Technologies

Sugar reduction is dairy’s “sweet” spot

Products that are low in sugar and high in protein are in huge demand

Brian Berk

March 20, 2026

On January 7, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, highlighting the importance of sugar reduction, with dairy playing a key role.

Four frozen fruit popsicles on a wet blue table with ice.

Market Trends

Yasso and JonnyPops lasso the competition

Overall frozen novelties are doing well, but subcategories showing signs of weakness.

Brian Berk

March 6, 2026

Over the past several years, the phrase “a win is a win” has been used by many athletes, often in reference to winning a game or match without a dominant performance. The phrase applies aptly to the overall frozen novelty category.

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

Let's Talk Dairy Podcast

Episode 62 — The latest on school milk programs

Cindy Cooper, assistant director of Health and Wellness for Atlanta-based The Dairy Alliance, joins Dairy Foods for Episode 62 of the “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast.

Brian Berk

March 3, 2026

Cindy Cooper, assistant director of Health and Wellness for Atlanta-based The Dairy Alliance, joins Dairy Foods for Episode 62 of the “Let’s Talk Dairy” podcast.

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

Editor's Letter

Why times have never been better for the dairy industry

Two huge regulatory items should propel dairy even further.

Brian Berk

March 4, 2026

Transformative changes are underway for the dairy industry in 2026, with new Dietary Guidelines promoting whole dairy products and the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act enabling diverse milk options in schools. These developments mark a "platinum era" for dairy, enhancing health and consumer choice.

A small bowl of Woodland Gourmet Granulated Spicy Chipotle Chiles and larger bowls of whole chiles on a table. Chile powder and chile slices are on the table.

Ingredient Showcase

Ingredient suppliers highlight the latest solutions in cheesemaking ingredients

March 30, 2026

We offer the latest ingredients for cheesemaking.

A cropped image of a woman in exercise clothes, putting a spoon in a glass bowl of cereal and milk, a plate of hardboiled eggs, fruit, nuts and vegetables on a large chopping board.

Health & Wellness

Dietary Guidelines for Americans a huge boost for dairy industry

Dairy is ready to meet the needs of consumers.

Mary Wilcox

March 9, 2026

The new DGA emphasizes the need for 1.2-1.6 grams of high-quality protein per kilogram of body weight daily, nearly doubling past recommendations. It advises including a variety of protein sources from both animals and plants, while dairy remains a valuable nutritional option for all ages.

A spatula with a slice of pizza taken from a whole pizza on a tray with a blurred background.

Dairy Detective

The baking properties of cheese functionality

How cheese melts is one of the most researched properties.

Prateek Sharma Ph.D.

Nitin Joshi Ph.D., CFS

March 13, 2026

Meltability of cheese is one of the most researched properties, write Prateek Sharma, Ph.D., and Nitin Joshi, Ph.D. Among all dairy ingredients, cheese is atypical in that its functionality is highly versatile, as it can be modified to meet consumer needs.

Industrial steam injection heating system with a control panel, stainless steel pipes, valves, and gauges.

Equipment Showcase

Equipment suppliers provide solutions for cheesemaking equipment

March 31, 2026

Dairy Foods highlights cheesemaking equipment.

Close up look at a pump and valve, the bigger machine in the blurred background.

Processing Technologies

Why pumps and valves are the “backbone” of dairy processing

They move milk, cream, cheese curds, yogurt and other cultured dairy products consistently throughout each production stage.

Brian Berk

March 27, 2026

As dairy sales grow, pumps and valves play a vital role—pumps ensure accurate, controlled product transfer, while valves regulate flow, isolate systems, and support cleaning processes.

A close-up of storage and pasteurization equipment in a diary factory.

3-A Today

How 3-A Standards reduce risk when using AI equipment

As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms dairy operations, hygienic design standards give processors confidence to invest — and give equipment manufacturers a competitive edge.

March 19, 2026

AI is transforming dairy operations and boosting investor confidence. One cheese manufacturer achieved a 1% to 3% margin improvement—and millions in additional revenue—through AI-driven yield optimization.