Dairy Foods eMagazine

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2024 October

The October eMagazine features Processor Profile/Inside the Plant interviews with Master Cheesemaker Tony Hook, founder of award-winning Hook’s Cheese, which processes 70 SKUs of aged cheddar, blue cheese, and mixed milk cheeses. We look at eCommerce and its ability to drive revenue and explore dairy alternatives and ingredients providing functional benefits. Articles on the future of AI and packaging and the latest innovations and conveyors and palletizers are highlighted, while our columnists tackle lactose-free dairy and take us back to the future with bandaged cheese. There’s a Pack Expo Preview, new products, and much more to explore!

Foods & Beverages

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dairy alternative

How does plant-based match up versus dairy?

Dairy alternatives are making strides, but how can it advance further?
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Brian Berk
October 28, 2024

The battle of dairy versus plant-based products continues to intensify with recent campaigns featuring celebrities on both sides of the coin. The “Got Milk?,” “Milk Does a Body Good” and newer campaigns have faced competition from “Ditch Milk” and other anti-milk advertising efforts. 


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online shopping purchase

Why eCommerce sales are expected to grow

Labor shortages expected to lead to more automation and changes in packaging for dairy products.
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Brian Berk
October 21, 2024

Although eCommerce may not be for all dairy processors, it can definitely be an option for additional revenues. In fact, Euromonitor International reported the number of Americans utilizing online grocery services skyrocketed from 13% before the pandemic to some 26% in 2022. 


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Processors

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AI Chip

Trends in the dairy industry

Artificial intelligence, sustainability and functional nutrition poised to drive dairy innovation to new heights.
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Maxine Roman Ph.D.
October 25, 2024

The dairy industry is on the cusp of a transformative era, driven by three major trends: artificial intelligence, sustainability, and functional nutrition.


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They are, l. to r., co-founders Julie A. Hook and Tony Hook, Jim Stapelmann, Cricket Stapelmann, Brian Hook, Julie M. Hook, Tony's sister, and Talvick Hook.

Hook’s Cheese captures World Championship awards, was among the first to craft mixed milk cheeses

Small Wisconsin-based cheese processor handcrafts 70 SKUs and distributes to 40 states.
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Barbara Harfmann
October 16, 2024

While family-run Hook’s Cheese only has seven full-time employees, this 8,500-square-foot cheesemaking plant — originally built as a livery stable to the Washington Hotel in 1875 and is on the National Register of Historic Places — has transcended history as one of the first cheese companies in Wisconsin to perfect the art and science of mixed milk cheeses.


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lactose free dairy products

Sharon Gerdes pens final Dairy Foods column

Innovation expands lactose-free dairy options
Sharon Gerdes Health and Wellness editor of Dairy Foods
Sharon Gerdes
October 7, 2024

Lactose-free milk remains a bright spot in the milk category. According to information from Dairy Management Inc., retail volume sales are up 11.6% in 2024 year-to-date (YTD) (through July 21), building on average annual growth of 11.4% from 2019 to 2023. 


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Ingredients

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Operations

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Previously a contract manufacturer, since 2001 Hook's Cheese is now released under the Hook's label which recognizes its status as World Champion Cheese Makers.

Going Inside the Plant at Hook’s Cheese

Smaller vats give cheese processor more creativity in making specialty cheese.
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Barbara Harfmann
October 23, 2024

From running the pasteurizer to pumping fresh milk to adding the all-important starter culture to putting the cheese in forms and pressing it down, Master Cheesemaker Tony Hook is hands-on when crafting 70 flavors of aged cheddars, blues and mixed milk cheeses that bear the name of Hook’s Cheese.


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AI graphics hovering over man's hand

Is AI a solution for dairy labor concerns?

The technology may also steamline operations, enhance food safety and improve traceability.
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Sammy Bredar
October 22, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is drastically changing the way the world operates. From production and preparation to ordering and delivery, AI systems are revolutionizing the food and beverage industry. 


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PACK EXPO East boasts more than 450 exhibitors across 100,000 net square feet and is the largest edition of the show to date.

PACK EXPO to offer many new features next month

PACK Gives BACK and new education opportunities among this year’s wrinkles.
October 11, 2024

PACK EXPO International 2024 is returning to Chicago's McCormick Place Nov. 3 to 6. The event, produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, will connect 45,000 packaging and processing professionals.


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