California Ag Network

Category: Dairy Industry

  • O’Brien Says U.S. Ag Has ‘Open Door of Opportunity’

    Barbara O’Brien, President and CEO of Dairy Management Inc.

    Barbara O’Brien, President and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, said agriculture has an “open door of opportunity” amid growing pressures and expectations to feed a growing population sustainably and responsibly during her opening comments at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit, Nov. 17-18.

    The Summit, conducted under the theme “Regeneration and Resilience,” annually convenes the collective food and agriculture value chain to learn, develop and advance a shared vision for a sustainable and resilient U.S. food system.

    O’Brien referenced recent events including the UN Food Systems Summit and COP26 (26th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) as examples of how the conversation has reached an apex globally. She said this is U.S. agriculture’s time to collectively lead and demonstrate its vital role in the health of people and the well-being of the planet. She cited a recent global survey that revealed agriculture is the third most-trusted industry when it comes to acting on climate change, exceeded only by the renewable energy and technology sectors.

    “And yet, while trust in agriculture is high, consumers want to know more, with 65 percent of people saying they don’t know much – or anything at all – about climate change solutions,” O’Brien said. “They want to be better informed but say they can’t find information they trust or easily understand. And overwhelmingly, they want to hear less about the problem, and more about the solutions.

    “This means U.S. agriculture has an open door of opportunity to demonstrate our determination to innovate and to lead in being good and responsible stewards of the land. While we know there are no easy solutions, we also know we are stronger together.”

    Kelly Bengston, senior vice president and chief procurement officer at Starbucks, served as the Summit’s keynote speaker and stressed how the coffee company values the contributions of farmers, including the nation’s 31,000 dairy farm families. Bengston said dairy remains an integral part of its business and is featured in more than half of Starbucks’ core beverage offerings.

    “For 50 years, Starbucks has been dedicated to inspiring and nurturing the human spirit – one person, one cup, one neighborhood at a time,” Bengston said. “And in that time, we’ve also learned an important fact – our future is tied to the future of farmers, their families, and the health of our planet. Right now, from the impacts of the climate crisis to rising costs, we know it’s never been harder to be a farmer.”

    Bengston said dairy and coffee account for more than a third of the company’s carbon emissions. This led to Starbucks last year announcing 2030 targets to reduce its carbon, water and waste footprints by half. Starbucks also joined the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative (NZI), collaborating with the industry on research, on-farm pilots and programs to make the adoption of sustainable practices and technologies more accessible and affordable to farms of all sizes.

    To that end, Bengston announced that Starbucks is partnering with Alliance Dairy in Trenton, Fla., to apply and measure innovative technologies and regenerative farming practices that build an economically viable path to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve water use efficiency and quality.

    As part of this pilot, technologies such as evaporative nutrient recovery will be explored with the goal of helping Alliance Dairy become a source of renewable and organic fertilizer and water reuse, while significantly reducing GHG emissions.

    “At Starbucks, we are focused on driving innovation at scale to support people and planet,” Bengston said. “This includes identifying new ideas and technologies with our partners that are meaningful to farmers, and then working hard to help get them on their farms.”

    The Summit included various breakout sessions and panel discussions, including one that featured a group of industry leaders examining the implications of the UN Food Systems Summit (UN FSS) for U.S. agriculture, which took place Sept. 23. The UN FSS convened international stakeholders from across the food system with the goal of transforming the way the world produces, consumes and trades food. The event served as a call to action to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

    More than 2,000 ideas were submitted during the UN FSS, including several Game Changers offered by U.S. dairy and other agriculture sectors. Coalitions were announced to drive action on priorities following the summit. Organizations including the Innovation Center, U.S. Dairy Export Council and National Dairy Council were engaged throughout the UN FSS process as were several other U.S. agriculture organizations.

    “The U.S. dairy industry determined early on that UN FSS provided an important opportunity to participate, to demonstrate industry leadership and share with the world our commitments to sustainability and continuous improvement,” said panel moderator Janice Giddens, vice president of sustainable nutrition for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. “We wanted to ensure that the U.S. dairy supply chain, from farmers to processors, to retailers and exporters, was recognized for the contributions it makes to creating healthier, more sustainable and resilient food systems for all.”

    Dairy Sustainability Alliance Holds Fall Meeting

    The 2021 Dairy Sustainability Alliance Fall Meeting followed the Summit on Nov. 19. The Alliance is a multi-stakeholder initiative of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and includes more than 150 companies and organizations. Representatives exchange ideas, best practices and tackle shared challenges on issues affecting the industry to accelerate progress toward common sustainability goals.

    O’Brien kicked off the meeting praising the 34 cooperatives and processors – representing 75 percent of U.S. milk production – who have adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment. The commitment allows companies to demonstrate and document how they responsibly produce milk and dairy products, reporting on key priorities such as animal care, environment, food safety and community engagement. She also referenced the dairy community last year setting the 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals.

    Despite the disruptions of the pandemic, O’Brien said the industry has set in motion a cascade of environmental work at the feed, farm and processor levels that includes:

    • Pilots and research projects to identify and scale solutions that will be a win-win for farmers and the environment.
    • Transparent reporting of progress at the processor level, included for the first time in aggregate within the 2020 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Report.
    • Communications efforts to share the practices and resources available that make a meaningful difference in improving dairy’s environmental footprint.
    • Baselines being set with an eye toward future goals where U.S. dairy can have positive impact.

    “In a world where hundreds of companies, countries and global organizations are setting public-facing net zero goals, U.S. dairy’s leadership is critical in keeping dairy – and animal protein overall – positively positioned within global discussions around what constitutes sustainable food systems that can nourish both people and the planet,” O’Brien said.

    “It has taken a lot of work to get where we are as a dairy community, and yet we know there is more that we can do to ensure that dairy continues to earn a place in homes and in communities around the world.”

    Other meeting highlights included:

    • Donald Moore, executive director of Global Dairy Platform, and Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, assessed the potential policy and market impacts that the UN FSS and COP26 will have for dairy. They offered views on how these events will influence global expectations not only for exports but for sustainable businesses in all markets, as well as what is needed for U.S. dairy to provide solutions and to remain competitive.
    • Dairy farmers Sam Schwoeppe (Indiana), Matt Freund (Connecticut), Tara Vander Dussen (New Mexico) and Jim Werkhoven (Washington) participated in a discussion to share how they are approaching sustainability and what the broader value chain can do to support their efforts.
    • Sustainability author and strategist Dan Esty provided a keynote address where he explored dairy’s place in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Esty touched on how nearly every aspect of business is viewed through a sustainability lens, and investors are incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into their approach, putting pressure on companies to demonstrate how they will operate in a net-zero economy and resource-restrained world. He said the U.S. dairy industry taken steps that have it positioned to be part of the solution.

    For information about the industry’s sustainability work and the dairy checkoff, visit www.usdairy.com.

  • Nightfood Wins REAL CA MILK Excelerator Competition With Sleep Friendly Ice Cream Novelties

    Nightfood claimed a sweet victory as grand prize winner of the Real California Milk Excelerator dairy innovation competition during a live pitch event. The competition, created in 2019 by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and VentureFuel to fuel innovation in new dairy product development, is a global search for the very best emerging products to bring to market using California milk and dairy ingredients. As grand prize winner, Nightfood will receive $150,000 in resources and funding to bring their sleep friendly ice cream novelties to hotel locations across the U.S.

    As presented by Founder and CEO, Sean Folkson, a self-identified night snacker and former insomniac, Nightfood’s mission is to help nighttime snackers around the world satisfy their hard-wired cravings in a better, healthier, and more sleep-friendly way. The company recently completed a successful pilot program with a leading global hotel chain to introduce Nightfood ice cream pints into hotel lobby shops across the country. Excelerator prizing will be used to help grow distribution for a novelty version of the ice cream in the hospitality channel.

    I’m honored for Nightfood to be selected by the CMAB, VentureFuel and the panel of industry-expert judges as the first-place winner in this year’s Excelerator competition. Sleep is becoming a massive health trend, and many consumers wrestle with hard-wired nighttime survival cravings for calorie-dense foods like cookies, chips, candy, and, of course, ice cream,” said Folkson. “Those high-sugar, high-fat snacks tend to be both unhealthy, and sleep disruptive. Nightfood helps consumers satisfy those prehistoric biological cravings in a better, healthier, more sleep-friendly way. With the help of the CMAB, we look forward to making Nightfood sleep-friendly ice cream sandwiches available in lobby shops in 20,000 hotels across the country.”

    Nightfood is one of four innovators selected from a field of 12 semi-finalist competitors to present to an all-star judging panel from the CPG, retail, venture capital, food science and media world representing such companies as Albertsons Companies, Coca-Cola, Beam Suntory, My/Mochi Ice Cream, Whole Foods and more in a live virtual pitch (and sample) event. All four finalists represented products in the frozen dessert space – a market valued at more than $52 billion in 2020 and growing, driven by the rising demand for better-for-you dessert options. Alongside the three other finalists, Nightfood was judged on uniqueness or innovation, taste, the ability to scale and the founding team. Sweetkiwi came in second place and will receive $100,000 in support for growth and distribution for their low calorie whipped frozen Greek yogurt that is formulated with fiber, protein, and probiotics for better gut health.

    “I am incredibly overwhelmed and excited that we were one of the chosen winners,” said Ehime Eigbe, Founder and CEO of Sweetkiwi. “It is such an exciting time for us, we’re really pleased the judges saw the value in our innovation. We look forward to carrying the Real California Milk seal and being part of the California dairy family.”

    This is the third event of its kind by the California dairy industry. While prior years focused on fluid milk and snacks, the 2021 competition spotlighted products using the nutritional and flavor profiles of real milk and dairy ingredients to deliver performance and recovery benefits in products ranging from sports drinks to indulgent desserts.

    Twelve semi-finalists were selected from a field of 62 entries to move through the Excelerator process, receiving $10,000 worth of support each to develop an edible prototype, while receiving a suite of resources including graphic design, lab or kitchen time and elite mentorship from global marketing, packaging, investment and distribution experts from companies including Branchfood, Brandology, Bristol Farms, the California Dairy Innovation Center, Diageo, Garrand Moehlenkamp, Heywell, Highlight, Ignite2x, Ketchum, LA Distributing Company, Lemos Jerseys, Mondelēz International, Rodeo, Vori, and Whole Brain Consulting. The total value of Excelerator prizing is over $650,000.

     

    Finalists were chosen from the semi-finalists competitors during a two-day virtual pitch event judged by a group of experts from Hershey’s, Nestle, Mars, PepsiCo Ventures Group, Amberstone Ventures, Branch Venture Group, FoodNavigator.com, Rosa Brothers Milk Company, Health Magazine, SnackRiot, and The Save Mart Companies. Over 2,000 consumers also were able to vote virtually through Perksy, which provides market research for the mobile generation, on the products they would most be interested in purchasing. An additional 500 consumers were polled through Perksy for the finals and those votes were included in the final tally.

    “Excelerator winners were judged as much for the founders and founding teams as for the products themselves and we had an incredible group of competitors this year. Nightfood stood out because it really nailed the performance and recovery objective of this year’s competition and they have a solid plan for owning the sleep space,” said John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board. “We look forward to partnering with Sean and Ehime to bring both Nightfood and Sweetkiwi’s functional dairy desserts, fueled by Real California dairy ingredients, to the larger marketplace.”

     

    “Every product that made it into this competition was a winner, having gone through extensive vetting and due diligence to determine their potential.” said Fred Schonenberg, CEO of VentureFuel. “Our mentors helped each accelerate and, in the end, over 2,000 consumers and the 24 expert judges chose these amazing two winners. CMAB and VentureFuel continue to assist all of the companies that made it into the program – so expect to see many of these participants on a shelf near you very soon.”

    To that end, earlier this week, CMAB and VentureFuel hosted a private retail buyer/investor event to introduce the finalists to the market which resulted in over 20 one-on-one meetings with key industry decision makers. The program also supported nascent companies that may be future breakthroughs via a multi-week Incubator Boot Camp for idea-stage companies not quite ready for the main Excelerator.

    California, known for innovation, has a reputation for quality dairy products. As the number one producer of fluid milk in the nation, California also leads the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. More than 1,100 family dairy farms produce the California milk found in fluid milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products identified by the Real California Milk seal.

    About the RCM Snackcelerator

    The 2021 Real California Milk Excelerator taps into the thriving functional foods market – a market that has grown significantly over the past year and is projected to reach over $275 billion globally by 2025 and focused on early-stage, high-growth companies with a cow’s milk-based product that plays a critical role in personal performance and/or recovery.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visitRealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    About VentureFuel, Inc.

    Founded in 2014, VentureFuel is an independent innovation consultancy that builds innovation programs for industry leaders by unlocking the power of external innovation through startup collaboration. Its programs focus on changing behaviors and beliefs in order to unlock new sources of growth. We provide senior leaders with the tools to drive transformative change within their organizations by opening up their teams to new ways of working, products, services and routes to market. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net, Linked-In, Twitter and Instagram. You can hear The VentureFuel Podcast on Apple, Spotify or Simplecast.

  • Real CA Milk Begins Holiday Season With Mornings Mean More Campaign

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced today the launch of a consumer promotion focused on holiday breakfast traditions with dairy. The campaign is an extension of the Mornings Mean More campaign that first debuted in2020 . The Holiday Mornings Mean More campaign communicates messages of family, togetherness and the importance of  celebrating time together over special breakfast recipes. The featured promotional menu includes recipes designed to be enjoyed together such as Buttermilk Pancake Breakfast Tacos, Cheesy Hashbrown Egg Bites, Lemon Blueberry Pancake Casserole, and Ricotta Churro Waffles.

    The promotion, which runs through December 27, will be supported with in-store media at 706 California stores including Albertson’s, Vons, Pavilions, Safeway, Raley’s, and Mollie Stone’s Markets. Integrated digital media will include geotargeted email blasts, banner ads and in-line recipe pairings throughout Chicory’s recipe network, sponsored social media posts, targeted display banner ads, Instacart SEO, retailer shopper marketing, and food influencer partnerships across Instagram and TikTok.

    “Dairy is an essential part of breakfast. These holiday breakfast recipes were curated to showcase the best of California dairy while inspiring families to spend time together during the holidays creating new traditions in the kitchen,” said Katelyn Harmon, Director of Business Development, U.S. Retail for the CMAB. “High quality, sustainably produced Real California dairy products are perfect additions to make breakfast as a family that much more special.”

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagramand Pinterest.

  • California’s Kylie Konyn Crowned National Jersey Queen

    Kylie Konyn of Escondido, California has been crowned the 64th National Jersey Queen.

    Kylie was presented the Charlene Nardone Crown by 2020 National Jersey Queen Natalie Berry on November 7, 2021, at the start of the National Jersey Jug Futurity in Louisville, Ky.

    She will represent Jersey breeders for the next year with participation in events such as the 154th Annual Meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), World Dairy Expo and The 70th All American Jersey Shows & Sales.

    Also serving on the national court of royalty are first alternate Caroline Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pa., and second alternate Maria Joy Poock, Boonville, Mo.

    The National Jersey Queen contest spanned three days with 11 outstanding young women from across the country competing for the coveted crown.

    Kylie is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is majoring in dairy science and plans to double major with either life sciences communications or genetics and genomics. Following her undergraduate studies, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition or genetics.

    “My platform is aimed at promoting and educating others of the many programs available through the American Jersey Cattle Association,” commented Kylie. “I chose this platform as a means of educating others about the numerous programs available to youth today. Youth programs are the future of our industry and serve as an educational background for many aspects of the industry including marketing, research, and management of a dairy farm.

    “I’ve always had an interest and passion for the Jersey industry. This passion has been fueled by the outpouring of support of mentors and programs through the AJCA. I want to “pay it forward” to the youth coming behind me.”

    Kylie has served as the California Jersey Queen, Western National Jersey Queen and was a member of Class VII of Jersey Youth Academy. She and her family have shown Jerseys at the state, regional and national levels. She has volunteered at the California State Fair in the dairy education booth, teaching the public about the benefits of the dairy industry. Her herd, Aspire Jerseys, is enrolled on REAP and utilize many programs provided by the AJCA.

    Caroline Arrowsmith is a sophomore at Penn State University majoring in animal science with a minor in agribusiness management. She plans to work for a large-scale calf and/or heifer raising facility as a young stock specialist to gain experience and credibility. Her long-term goals are to be a youngstock specialist for an animal health or nutrition company.

    Caroline’s platform is, “Jerseys Do More for Less.” Caroline states, “Jerseys have long been known for their high butterfat and protein solids in their milk. Today this is extremely beneficial to farmers as more and more milk checks are including high component bonuses or using component-based pricing. This means dairy producers with Jerseys are often able to have a higher milk price than farmers with other breeds, even though they may produce an overall lower volume of milk.”

    She is a member of the Pennsylvania Jersey Cattle Association and the Penn State Dairy Science Club. She has held many leadership positions through the Lancaster County dairy 4-H program. She enjoys showing her Registered Jerseys at the local, state and national levels. Caroline was a member of Class VI of Jersey Youth Academy.

    Maria Joy Poock is a senior at the University of Missouri.  Maria states, “I want to help people understand that agriculture is a positive influence in our world and is a safe and effective way to feed people around the world for generations to come.

    She is currently serving as the 2021 Missouri State Jersey Queen and was a member of Class VI of Jersey Youth Academy. Maria is a mentor at the University of Missouri’s farm working with students caring for the calves. She also helped this past year with Missouri 4-H Dairy Cow Camp at the Missouri State Fair.

    The Queen and her court presented awards for the National Jersey Jug Futurity and The 69th All American Jersey Show. They also assisted with the clerking of The All American Jersey Sale.

    The Charlene Nardone National Jersey Queen Fund provided scholarships of $500, $300 and $200 to the Queen and two alternates.

    For more information, follow the National Jersey Queen program on Facebook @USJerseyQueen.

    The American Jersey Cattle Association, organized in 1868, compiles and maintains animal identification and performance data on Jersey cattle and provides services that support genetic improvement and greater profitability through increasing the value of and demand for Registered Jersey™ cattle and genetics, and Jersey milk and milk products. For more information on the association’s complete line of services for dairy business owners, visit the website at www.USJersey.com or connect at Facebook.com/USJersey.

  • CA Dairy Producer Urges US to Emphasize Trade in Congressional Hearing

    National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) First Vice Chairman and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) board member Simon Vander Woude encouraged the U.S. government to prioritize expanded market access opportunities for U.S. dairy exports at a House Subcommittee for Livestock and Foreign Agriculture hearing today focused on trade policies and priorities.

    Vander Woude and his wife, Christine, operate a 3,200-head dairy in Merced, CA. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in California and the second largest in the United States. With sixty percent of the cooperative’s milk powder sold to foreign markets, CDI’s 360 family-owned dairy farms strongly rely on U.S. trade policy tools to keep export markets for their products open and growing.

    “I thank Chairman Costa and Ranking Member Johnson for the opportunity to testify today about U.S. trade policies and priorities impacting the U.S dairy industry. Despite all the growth and success the dairy industry has enjoyed on the export front over the past two decades, we could be doing even better with a level playing field,” said Vander Woude. “While trade is all too often disparaged in this country and its benefits sold short, our competitors are busy forging new agreements. We farmers need a proactive trade policy to keep pace and continue to increase sales to support the good farm and manufacturing jobs our industry creates.”

    Vander Woude stressed in his testimony the urgency of expanding access to key dairy markets like the UK, Asia (Japan, Southeast Asia, China) and the Middle East to catch up with dairy competitors whose countries have aggressively sought trade agreements over the past decade. Vander Woude also highlighted other policy priorities significantly impacting U.S. dairy operations, including the current supply chain crisis, securing long-term relief from Chinese retaliatory tariffs, and implementation and enforcement of existing trade agreements, including USMCA.

    “As Simon outlined so well to the House Livestock and Foreign Agriculture subcommittee today, exports are essential to the health of dairy farmers and to our wider industry,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. “New access into markets like Canada and Japan last year was a welcome first step, but still far less than what our farmers need to remain competitive globally. The United States needs to begin moving forward again with trade agreements and other policies that expand foreign market opportunities to help family dairy farms thrive and support the thousands of jobs that depend on dairy across this country.”

    “Sound trade policy that opens doors for American-made products takes time to negotiate and the time is ripe for laying that foundation,” said Krysta Harden, USDEC president and CEO. “With the administration and Congress having charted progress on many domestic priorities, now is the time for the U.S. government to take a proactive approach to tearing down both tariff and nontariff trade barriers. We also need forward-looking solutions to the nation’s supply chain issues that are hindering U.S. exports, particularly in markets where America’s farmers are at a disadvantage to our competitors.”

    The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.

    The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders. Its mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and assist the U.S. industry to increase its global dairy ingredient sales and exports of U.S. dairy products.

  • California Receives $1.8 Million Dairy Business Innovation Initiative Award

    The California State University, Fresno Foundation, in partnership with the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC), announced the receipt of a $1.8 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service to create a “Pacific Coast Coalition” to support dairy businesses in California, Oregon and Washington in the development, production, marketing and distribution of dairy products. Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives provide direct technical assistance, educational support, and grants to dairy businesses.

    The Pacific Coast Coalition will be led by host California State University, Fresno and will implement programs in partnership with CDIC and collaboration with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, the University of California, Davis, Humboldt State University and Oregon State University. The CDIC, and its steering committee, will serve as an advisory board to the Coalition, bringing a comprehensive business perspective, and assisting with a sub-awards program which will make $300,000 in grant funding available to regional dairy businesses for innovation-related investments annually for three years.

    Through this program, Fresno State and collaborating institutions will deliver hands-on technical assistance to dairy businesses, providing access to laboratory space and equipment to facilitate development and innovation. The Coalition has a strong focus on education as well and will offer learning opportunities on technical topics and related areas of interest such as supply chain innovation, distribution, packaging, marketing, and branding strategies.

    Developing the regional workforce by offering online and bilingual programs will be key to offering opportunities for growth to the region’s diverse population while meeting the dairy industry’s needs. Recognizing the necessity of collaboratively addressing the significant issues facing the Pacific Coast region’s dairy industry, Fresno State will leverage its technical expertise and research capabilities in value-added dairy innovation with a remarkable set of academic and business partners.

    John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) said, “This collaboration is why the CDIC was created, to support collaboration and attract investment in California’s dairy industry. We’re pleased to join the group of existing coalitions in Wisconsin, Vermont and Tennessee, in to advance our industry nationwide.”

    California leads the nation in milk production and milk is the number one agricultural commodity in the state. California also is a leading exporter of dairy products. The Pacific Coast region is home to hundreds of dairy businesses that are well-positioned to serve the needs of growing markets in Asia and Latin America.

    “The Pacific Coast Coalition will contribute to our competitive advantage in global markets and directly benefit our regional businesses. It will be instrumental to stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening the development of our workforce pipeline, and ultimately leading to the increased use of our milk in value-added products,” added Talbot.

    The USDA Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiative supports dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products. DBI Initiatives provide direct technical assistance and grants to dairy businesses, including niche dairy products, such as specialty cheese, or dairy products derived from the milk of a dairy animal, including cow, sheep, and goat milk.

    About the California Dairy Innovation Center
    The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) coordinates pre-competitive research and educational training in collaboration with industry, check-off programs, and research/academic institutions in support of a common set of innovation and productivity goals. The CDIC is guided by a Steering Committee that includes California Dairies Inc., California Dairy Research Foundation, California Milk Advisory Board, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Dairy Management Inc., Fresno State University, Hilmar Cheese, Leprino Foods, and UC Davis.

  • Cows are Udderly Useful for Healthy Vegetation Management

    Cows play an integral part in the healthy management of the approximately 6,500-acre Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve.

    That expanse of open rangeland adjacent to the UC Merced campus is a constant reminder of the University’s commitment to offsetting its environmental impact. The land will remain undeveloped forever, as agreed to before campus was built. Now an official part of the UC’s Natural Reserve System (NRS), the land is home to ancient soils, native plants and several endangered species — along with up to couple thousand head of Angus beef cattle and Holstein dairy cows during the grazing season months of late fall to early summer.

    Dairy cows can be curious and will sometimes approach visitors on the Reserve, but visitors are encouraged not to approach them, and not to frighten or tease them. Photo by Elena Zhukova

    Research recently published in the journal Sustainability demonstrates that well-managed cattle grazing supports the conservation of endangered plants and animals. It also helps reduce the fire-fuel load, which Californians know is a critical task every year.

    Plus, those cows are cute. They are also often easier to spot than the burrowing owls, fairy shrimp and California tiger salamanders that also share the land, which helps people feel connected to the land, Reserve Manager Joy Baccei said.

    “It’s amazing the number of students who want to take selfies with the dairy cows,” she said. “In comparison with the beef cattle, some people say the dairy cows are more like big puppies, in that they are very curious and sometimes playful.”

    Every spring and early summer, the black-and-white Holsteins congregate to loaf around the stock ponds and vernal pools, keeping the grasses mowed as they are rotated from pasture to pasture.

    “Effectively managed grazing is a sustainable way to control vegetation and maintain the ecosystem for many species of plants and animals. Grazing helps control the non-native annual plants,” wrote Sheila J. Barry, a livestock and natural resources advisor for the Bay Area, in a recent UC Agriculture and Natural Resources newsletter.

    “In fact, 89 percent of species positively impacted by livestock grazing benefit from control of non-native species. For example, controlling non-native annual grasses favors native forb or broad-leaf plant populations that support the conservation of 10 different butterfly species and one moth species which rely on forbs for nectar and larvae food,” Barry wrote.

    Many native animals, and their prey, are adapted to live in low or sparse vegetation, Baccei said, so grazing helps their habitats and their survival. For example, dense vegetation can make it harder for some animals to see predators that threaten them or crowd out their aquatic breeding habitats. It requires active management and monitoring to strike the right balance between overgrazing and undergrazing.

    The Reserve is also home to more than 3,000 vernal pools — one of the largest collections of these unique seasonal wetlands left in the state. The cows tromp around the pools each spring and churn the grass thatch back into the muddy soil, which is good for the soil. They also prevent invasive species from taking over native plant communities.

    The bovine “interns” listen to campus biologist Francesca Cannizzo as she takes samples on the Reserve. Photo by Joy Baccei

    Because the Reserve is a living laboratory for many of the campus’s researchers, cow encounters are pretty common. It can sometimes be a challenge to get through Reserve gates without letting any cows escape, Baccei said. Cow escapes have happened on occasion, too. Every now and then, Facilities would get a weekend call about a group of stray cows eating the landscaping at the top of Scholars Lane in front of the Lantern.

    People driving onto the reserve for approved research or guided tours should be prepared to get a cow posse behind them, and a cow-style car wash. Parked cars intrigue the Holsteins, and they will often lick the cars.

    “Student researchers sometimes come back with their cars covered in cow slobber and fur from interactions with the curious dairy cows,” Baccei said.

    They’ll also follow people and vehicles, but they typically maintain a skeptical distance. Cows are not dangerous, but curious; however, it’s important to be mindful of belongings around them. Also, it’s important not to approach cows, as they can be unpredictable, and in some instances, aggressive.

    The dairy cows can be playful and curious when anything new comes into their world. During some windy days recently, Baccei said a gold mylar balloon sailed into one of the pastures and the young Holsteins got excited.

    Some would bravely begin to approach the balloon, but as soon as the wind picked it up again, they ran off, which was a hilarious sight, she said.

    “The dairy cows are very curious about us, too,” Baccei said. “When researchers are out there doing water, soil or botanical sampling, the cows come and find us. They will often gather around the researchers like they are learning to collect scientific data. We joke and call them ‘Our Interns.’ They really are very lovable, but we have to be watchful because they can be disruptive.”

    The Holstein dairy cows and Angus beef cattle belong to an organic dairy in Snelling. Baccei said the cows’ owners and the UC work together on adaptive grazing management to make sure environmental goals are met.

    “We have a long-range plan for the Reserve, and grazing management is always going to be part of it, although the approaches we use may change,” she said. — By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced

  • Four Functional Treats Compete For $250,000 In Real CA Milk Excelerator Competition Finals

    Sweet treats with functional benefits took home the four finalist spots this week in the Real California Milk Excelerator product innovation competition created by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and VentureFuel. The finalists tap into the nutritional and flavor profiles of milk and dairy ingredients to deliver performance and recovery benefits in products consumers crave.

    Finalists include:

    • Nightfood – Uniquely formulated by sleep experts and nutritionists, Nightfood ice cream delivers great taste for those nighttime cravings and a sleep-friend nutritional profile to help promote quality sleep.
    • ReThink Ice Cream – Low sugar, stomach and diabetic-friendly ice cream that is infused with fiber and sourced from lactose-free A2 dairy, ReThink Ice Cream is a decadent source of natural nutrition.
    • Sweetkiwi – Founded by a McKinsey 2021 Black Executive Leader and certified cultured dairy professional, Sweetkiwi makes whipped Greek yogurt that is low in calories and high in nutrition. Sweetkiwi pints are under 320 calories and formulated with fiber, protein, and probiotics for better gut health with fewer calories.
    • Wonder Monday – A 2020 RCM Snackcelerator finalist, Wonder Monday returns with a new protein keto cheesecake snack bar with no added sugar and 10g of clean protein to indulgently refuel.

    These four innovators were selected from a field of 12 semi-finalist competitors during a two-day virtual pitch event judged by a group of experts from Hershey’s, Nestle, Mars, PepsiCo Ventures Group, Amberstone Ventures, Branch Venture Group, FoodNavigator.com, Rosa Brothers Milk Company, Health Magazine, SnackRiot, and The Save Mart Companies. Over 2,000 fans also were able to vote virtually through Perksy, which provides market research for the mobile generation.

    Nightfood, ReThink, Sweetkiwi and Wonder Monday move on to the final, live event at 5 p.m. PST on November 18th where they will compete for $150,000 in marketing support to bring their visions to market with a runner up receiving $100,000 towards the same goal. Registration for the event is available online.

    “We had tremendous diversity in our field of semi-finalists this year but ultimately, the four products moving to the finals reflect America’s sweet tooth and our continuing desire for treats that don’t give up taste in favor of function. And the votes through Persky, which polled 2000 consumers on which of these products they would be most interested in buying, support the judge’s decisions,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “These creative products are tackling some of consumers bigger concerns around sugar content and lactose sensitivity without sacrificing the taste and texture that make a dessert something special.”

    The 12 semi-finalists received $10,000 worth of support each, to develop an edible prototype, while receiving a suite of resources including graphic design, lab or kitchen time and elite mentorship from global marketing, packaging, and distribution experts from companies including Branchfood, Brandology, Bristol Farms, the California Dairy Innovation Center, Diageo, Garrand Moehlenkamp, Heywell, Highlight, Ignite2x, Ketchum, LA Distributing Company, Lemos Jerseys, Mondelēz International, Rodeo, Vori, and Whole Brain Consulting. The total value of competition prizing is over $650,000.

    “Great innovators often take something we love and make it better by removing an issue or adding a benefit,” said Fred Schonenberg, Founder of VentureFuel “Each of these entrepreneurs have created delicious products we all love to eat – but now help us optimize our health by delivering on the functional benefits of dairy.”

    For the final event, each founder will be presenting to an all-star judging panel of experts from across CPG, retail, venture capital and food science, featuring: Russell Barnett, Managing Director/CMO of My/Mochi Ice Cream, Donna Berry, Editor of the Daily Dose of Dairy, Heather Boyd, Managing Director, RTD of Beam Suntory, Chad Coester, SVP Own Brands at Albertsons Companies, Chris McCann, CEO of 1-800-Flowers.com, Julia Bello, Principal, Local Producer Loan Program at Whole Foods, John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board, and Adriano Torres, Senior Director Global Marketing, Dairy & Plant-Based Beverages at Coca-Cola.

    “It’s a tremendous honor to be a finalist in this years’ RCM Excelerator program. With support and access to resources from CMAB, we’re looking forward to securing distribution for sleep-friendly Nightfood ice cream sandwiches in hotel lobby shops across the country,” said Nightfood Founder and CEO, Sean Folkson.

    “We are so excited to make it to the finals, it was such a shock and means the world to us,” said Sweetkiwi Founder and CEO Ehime Eigbe. “For a small brand that started in my kitchen, I cannot believe how far we have come. Thank you for the CMAB and VentureFuel for this amazing opportunity.”

    George T. Haymaker III, Founder and CEO of ReThink Ice Cream shared, “We’re grateful to be moving onto the next stage of the CMAB/VentureFuel Dairy Innovation competition. In terms of what it means for our brand, more than anything it’s validation that others (consumers and CPG experts) feel we are on the right track and have a product of value to offer consumers; that it fills a need not currently being filled by other brands. We are trying to make ice cream as healthy as possible, without taste and texture being negatively affected. We want all people, regardless of health circumstances or restrictions, to have access to a great-tasting, creamy and decadent ice cream experience.”

    Candace Wu, Co-Founder of Wonder Monday agreed, “We’re thrilled to be moving on to the finals, and by the reception to our 1g net carb, no sugar added cheesecake. We loved hearing the reactions of the judges when they tried their first bite. We’re glad that everyone loves cheesecake as much as we do! Thanks to CMAB and VentureFuel for giving us this fantastic opportunity.”

    California, known for innovation, has a reputation for quality dairy products. As the number one producer of fluid milk in the nation, California also leads the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. More than 1,100 family dairy farms produce the California milk found in fluid milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products identified by the Real California Milk seal.

    About the RCM Snackcelerator

    The 2021 Real California Milk Excelerator taps into the thriving functional foods market – a market that has grown significantly over the past year and is projected to reach over $275 billion globally by 20251 and focused on early-stage, high-growth companies with a cow’s milk-based product that plays a critical role in personal performance and/or recovery.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com,Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    About VentureFuel, Inc.
    Founded in 2014, VentureFuel is an independent innovation consultancy that builds innovation programs for industry leaders by unlocking the power of external innovation through startup collaboration. Its programs focus on changing behaviors and beliefs in order to unlock new sources of growth. We provide senior leaders with the tools to drive transformative change within their organizations by opening up their teams to new ways of working, products, services and routes to market. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net, Linked-In, Twitter and Instagram. You can hear The VentureFuel Podcast on Apple, Spotify or Simplecast.

  • 12 Innovative Dairy Brands Head Into Virtual Pitch Semi Finals In 3rd Real CA Milk Excelerator Competition

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the schedule for the Real California Milk Excelerator virtual semi-finals, which will be held October 26th and 27th from 5-7 p.m. PST. The 3rd edition of the CMAB’s dairy product innovation competition partnership with innovation consultancy VentureFuel will bring 12 entrepreneurs together to pitch their functional dairy products for a chance at a slot in the final competition.

    Semi-finalists will compete in four virtual events on October 26 and 27 leading to the November 18th virtual finals where the first place Excelerator winner will receive up to $150,000 worth of additional marketing support from CMAB to accelerate their product growth in the marketplace. Second place will receive $100,000 of marketing supports from CMAB. The total value of the competition prizing is $650,000.

    The 2021 Real California Milk Excelerator taps into the thriving functional foods market – a market that has grown significantly over the past year and is projected to reach over $275 billion globally by 2025 and focused on early-stage, high-growth companies with a cow’s milk-based product that plays a critical role in personal performance and/or recovery.

    John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB

    “This is where it all comes together. Our finalists have honed their pitches and will be putting it all on the line to showcase how their products best integrate the natural ingredients, flavor and nutritional profile of milk and other dairy products to deliver a functional benefit to consumers,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “We are excited to see any of these 12 innovative products make it to the final four.”

    VentureFuel, Inc., the leading corporate innovation consultancy, has partnered with CMAB to run the program and identified and recruited applicants from their global network of investors, founders, and academics. Semi-finalists received a $10,000 stipend and support to refine and scale their individual business as well as benefit group resources including the development of sales and marketing tools and have participated in a virtual master’s class of mentor and support sessions to refine products, create marketing tools, and hone their presentations for the semi-finals.

    The 2021 RCM Excelerator mentor team includes:

    • Lauren Abda, Co-Founder/Partner, Branch Venture Group
    • Roger Arechiga, Director of Dairy, Deli and Frozen Foods, Bristol Farms
    • Ila Byrne, Former Head of Ideation and Innovation, Diageo
    • Patti Cerami, Account Director, Ignite2x
    • Zachary DeAngelo, Founder/CEO, Rodeo
    • Jim Dimataris, VP, Processor Partnerships, California Milk Advisory Board
    • Britt Dougherty, Co-Founder, Heywell
    • Jessie Gilligan, Partner/Chief Client Officer, Garrand Moehlenkamp
    • Brandon Hernandez, Partner, Whole Brain Consulting
    • Brandon Hill, Founder/CEO, Vori
    • Dana Kim, Founder/CEO, Highlight
    • Veronique LaGrange, Director, California Dairy Innovation Center
    • Nevin Lemos, Founder, Lemos Jerseys
    • Ken Matsubara, Partner/Chief Creative Officer, Garrand Moehlenkamp
    • Richard Medina, Founder/CEO, LA Distributing Company
    • Maura Mitchell, Founder, Brandology
    • Jennifer Reinhard, VP, Media Group Manager, Ketchum
    • Brigette Wolf, Head of SnackFutures, Mondelēz International

    Judges for the October 26 and 27 RCM Excelerator semi-finals include:

    • Lauren Abda, Co-Founder/Partner, Branch Venture Group
    • Alexander Bernstein, Managing Partner, Amberstone
    • Bob Carroll, VP, Business Development, California Milk Advisory Board
    • Elizabeth Crawford, Deputy Editor, FoodNavigator.com
    • Stephen Crozier, R&D Partnerships, Hershey’s
    • Jen Giambroni, VP, Communications, California Milk Advisory Board
    • Molly Hayes, Global Senior Director of Growth & Innovation, Mars
    • Sarah Holley, Manager, Product Innovation, Nestle
    • Jarett Margolis, Senior Manager, Business Development, California Milk Advisory Board
    • Noel Rosa, Owner, Rosa Brothers Milk Company
    • Marnie Schwartz, Nutrition Editor, Health
    • Jason Stamm, Principal, PepsiCo Ventures Group
    • Erica Wagner, Founder, SnackRiot
    • Dr. Jen Welter, Former NFL Coach, Sports Psychologist, Motivational Speaker
    • Josh Zodikoff, Senior Category Manager, Deli, The Save Mart Companies

    The four finalists from those events will participate in a private pitch event with buyers and investors and a live, virtual final pitch on November 18th before a team of judges representing media, retailers, CPG food and beverage brands, investors, and eCommerce platforms. The finals event will be broadcast live for public viewing and a link will be made available on the RCM Excelerator site.

    Finals judges include:

    • Russell Barnett, Managing Director/CMO, My/Mochi Ice Cream
    • Donna Berry, Editor, Daily Dose of Dairy
    • Heather Boyd, Managing Director, RTD, Beam Suntory
    • Chad Coester, SVP Own Brands, Albertsons Companies
    • Chris McCann, CEO, 1-800-Flowers.com
    • Julia Bello, Principal, Local Producer Loan Program, Whole Foods
    • John Talbot, CEO, California Milk Advisory Board
    • Adriano Torres, Senior Director Global Marketing, Dairy & Plant-Based Beverages

      Fred Schonenberg, Founder of VentureFuel

    “How do you determine if a startup has breakthrough growth potential? You look to see if retailers will shelve it, if consumers will buy it, if reporters will write on it and investors will invest in it. Each of our judges have unique vantage points on what’s next, that when combined, gives us a holistic view on what will succeed tomorrow,” said Fred Schonenberg, Founder of VentureFuel.

    The 12 semi-finalist applicants competing October 26th and 27th are:

    • Alexandre Family Farms – Fourth generation California dairy farmers with functional brand extensions for liquid milk, powder and yogurt focused on properties for anti-anxiety and gut health.
    • Boba Guys – Trendy tea brand Boba Guys, with 15 brick and mortar locations in California, is developing a bottled milk tea latte with key nutrients, vitamins, and caffeine to optimize performance and recovery.
    • Churn – The pioneer of chef-crafted, health-conscious, flavor-driven grass-fed butter, Churn is bringing innovation and education to the dairy industry with flavored butters meant to empower elevated cooking at home and inspire the happiness that comes along with it.
    • Kefir Lab – Kefir Lab takes kefir and makes it more effective with organic milk cultured with 24 live and active potent protein strains for a bottled kefir that boosts immunity, metabolism, and brain health.
    • Nightfood – Uniquely formulated by sleep experts and nutritionists, Nightfood ice cream delivers great taste for those nighttime cravings and a sleep-friend nutritional profile to help promote quality sleep.
    • Positive Chemistry – A dissolving pouch that melts in the bath, releasing a bubbly, fizzing mixture of real milk and recovery salts to promote recovery for skin, muscles, and the soul. A hidden exfoliating sponge with a message of positivity is designed to float to the top of the bath.
    • Rizo Lopez Foods – Award-winning and family-owned, Rizo Lopez utilizes Old World recipes and traditional techniques for their Ready2Go Whey products derived from a specially processed whey protein concentrate for a creamy, delicious, and gut-healthy drink.
    • ReThink Ice Cream – Low sugar, stomach and diabetic-friendly ice cream that is infused with fiber and sourced from lactose-free A2 dairy, ReThink Ice Cream is a decadent source of natural nutrition.
    • Sweetkiwi – Founded by a McKinsey 2021 Black Executive Leader and certified cultured dairy professional, Sweetkiwi makes whipped Greek yogurt that is low in calories and high in nutrition. Sweetkiwi pints are under 320 calories and formulated with fiber, protein, and probiotics for better gut health with fewer calories.
    • The Indian Milk & Honey Co. – Sugar-free probiotic Lassi with Ayurvedic immunity supporting herbs and spices, that also support mental clarity, in one environmentally-friendly carton.
    • Top O’ the Morn Farms – A California-owned dairy farm with an expansive line of fresh products, Top O’ the Morn’s Cow-Pow chocolate milk is a clean-label pre- or post-workout beverage fortified with whey protein isolate and natural caffeine.
    • Wonder Monday – A 2020 RCM Snackcelerator finalist, Wonder Monday returns with a new protein keto cheesecake snack bar with 10g of clean protein to indulgently refuel.

    In addition to the semi-finalists, two companies were selected to participate in a Real California Milk Incubator Boot Camp program, which was built to assist ideas and promising prototypes that are too early for the Excelerator. These companies received mentoring and support from VentureFuel, CMAB and the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC).

    California, known for innovation, has a reputation for quality dairy products. As the number one producer of milk in the nation, California also leads the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. More than 1,100 family dairy farms produce the California milk found in fluid milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products identified by the Real California Milk seal.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagramand Pinterest.

    About VentureFuel, Inc.
    Founded in 2014, VentureFuel is an independent innovation consultancy that builds innovation programs for industry leaders by unlocking the power of external innovation through startup collaboration. Its programs focus on changing behaviors and beliefs in order to unlock new sources of growth. We provide senior leaders with the tools to drive transformative change within their organizations by opening up their teams to new ways of working, products, services and routes to market. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net, Linked-In, Twitter and Instagram. You can hear The VentureFuel Podcast on Apple, Spotify or Simplecast.

  • Initiative Encourages Families to Create Fantastic Fall Flavors with California Butter

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced today the launch of an October consumer promotion focused on Real California Butter as the foundation of the fall baking season. Featuring recipes such as Apple Brown Butter Crumble with Caramel Sauce and Poached Pears in Puff Pastry with Honey Whipped Cream, the month-long promotion will focus on creating delectable treats with classic fall flavors including pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, caramel, maple, and more all while highlighting California butter as a star baking ingredient.

    The promotion will be supported with in-store media that will be displayed at 475 California stores including Raley’s, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Lucky Supermarkets, FoodMaxx, and Save Mart. Integrated digital media will include geotargeted email communication, recipe and related site banner ads, sponsored social media posts, and food influencer partnerships.

    “Butter is a crucial ingredient in pies, crumbles, breads, and so many of the baked goods we enjoy during the cooler months,” said Katelyn Harmon, Director of Business Development, U.S. Retail for the CMAB. “We are encouraging families to use high quality, sustainably produced Real California Butter in their favorite baking recipes.”

    Thanks to milk from California’s dairy farm families, California leads the nation in butter production. As the nation’s leading milk producer, the state also is responsible for producing more ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.