California Ag Network

Tag: CMAB

  • CA Dairy Families Partner to Shred Hunger with Pilot Project Delivering Over 190,000 Pounds of Cheese to Feeding Programs Throughout State

    With one in five Californians currently struggling with food insecurity, partnerships between farmers and food banks are an essential tool in fighting hunger. In commemoration of World Milk Day on June 1, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced a partnership with Feeding American and the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) to provide access to nutritious dairy foods at sites serving families in need throughout the state.

    A pilot program announced today during a donation event at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services in Sacramento, will provide five truckloads of cheese shreds in one-pound packages for distribution at 11 Feeding America and California Association of Food Bank sites. That’s more than 3 million servings or 3.6 million grams of protein to nourish families. Part of the CMAB’s #CADAIRY4GOOD, the pilot is phase one of an ongoing partnership with Feeding America that will deliver over $1 million in resources to food banks and feeding programs to source California dairy foods including cheese and fluid milk, one of the most requested and least donated items at food banks.

    California Agriculture Secretary, Karen Ross, was onsite to help make the announcement, stating: “California dairy farmers have a long history of supporting the communities where they live and work. I’m pleased to join Real California Milk, Feeding America, and the California Association of Food Banks during dairy month to launch this partnership that provides products like cheese, a rich source of protein and other essential nutrients, to programs that serve families throughout the state.”

    “Farmers feed people, it’s core to their personal values,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “California dairy farmers are passionate about nourishing communities everywhere with the wholesome goodness of milk. We’re grateful to Feeding America for support to expand the reach of these essential resources.”

    The California cheese donation will be distributed to 11 food banks – Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Feeding San Diego, Orange County Food Bank, Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, Second Harvest Santa Cruz County, SLO Food Bank, Food Share of Ventura County, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, Central California Food Bank and Second Harvest of the Greater Valley. These food banks have 3,095 community partner distribution organizations, including soup kitchens and pantries, and collectively distributed nearly 360 million meals in 2021 alone.

    “Many of our neighbors are forced to make difficult decisions between paying for food or other essentials including housing. Low-income households spend one-third of their budget on food which means rising food costs can have a dramatic effect on food security,” said Sam Schwoeppe, Senior Account Manager, Agri Sourcing Partnerships for Feeding America. “Public-private partnerships like this are an essential way to support the vulnerable members of our community and allow us to stretch resources to increase access for all members of the community.”

    “Our food banks continue to serve more than 1.5x pre-pandemic demand and we don’t anticipate that stopping any time soon,” said Maria Houlne, Director of Farm to Family for the California Association of Food Banks. “Food donations and grants from famers and organizations like CMAB, coupled with public initiatives like the state’s CalFood program that allows food banks to purchase California-grown foods, are essential for food banks to meet that demand. Access to food is a basic human right.”

    The #CADAIRY4GOOD platform focuses on increasing access to nourishing dairy foods for families throughout California. In 2020 the CMAB provided more than 1 million servings of milk through grants to food banks in the state and in 2021 delivered 14 refrigeration units to school milk pantries in the Central Valley. Phase two of the 2022 program will focus on fluid milk with community milk drives and grants for food banks during September Hunger Action Month.

    California is the number one dairy state. Its 1,100 family dairy farms are focused on delivering the wholesome goodness of California milk while creating a greener, more sustainable future for dairy in the state.

    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. Connect with the CMAB at RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    About Feeding America
    Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 6.6 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

    About California Association of Food Banks (CAFB)
    The California Association of Food Banks leads the collective effort to end hunger in California. Every day, CAFB works to ensure its 41 member food banks have the tools and resources they need to do what they do best: feed our communities, while also working to change the systems that create hunger in the first place. Learn more at cafoodbanks.org.

    About Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS)
    Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is a local, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. SFBFS is dedicated to assisting those in need by alleviating their immediate pain and problems and moving them toward self-sufficiency and financial independence. With a staff of 90 and a volunteer force of 11,000, SFBFS is committed to feeding 250,000 seniors, families and children each month. Learn more atsacramentofoodbank.org.

  • Real California Milk Excelerator Launches Quest for New Dairy Innovation

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the return of its annual dairy innovation competition for the fourth year running. This year’s Real California Milk Excelerator, created in partnership with innovation consultancy VentureFuel, brings a new, expansive focus to accelerate any dairy-based product – from traditional consumer food and beverage items to textiles, haircare, and beyond. The competition will award up to $500,000 in prizes for new innovative dairy products that introduce novel benefits in any form and drive consumption of Real California dairy.

    The 2022 Real California Milk Excelerator enables innovation in its truest state: open. Given dairy’s versatility of benefits and functionality, from nutrition and flavor to texture and chemical composition, this open approach encourages innovation across product categories, all leveraging the versatility of the dairy ecosystem. It also taps into two of California’s incredible resources – an abundant supply of sustainably sourced California milk and the state’s entrepreneurial spirit.

    “Real dairy provides a package of functional and practical benefits that’s hard to replicate. We’re seeing an increase in unique products that leverage these benefits emerging in the market. By expanding the competition to all new dairy-based products, versus a specific category, we’re creating more opportunity to make a meaningful difference in consumers’ lives and in the utilization of milk from California’s family dairy farms,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “With the Excelerator platforms we’ve established over the past four years, we will be able to support companies as they innovate and establish these products in the market.”

    As one of the biggest dairy competitions in the world, the program seeks early-stage, high-growth potential applicants with a 50% cow’s milk-based product or working prototype.

    Up to eight applicants will be selected to join the RCM Excelerator program. Each will have access to a group stipend and a robust network of resources to refine and scale their product and business. They will also participate in the CMAB/VentureFuel Mentorship Program, consisting of elite counsel from successful founders, investors, leading corporate executives, and experts across design, marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution, farming, and processing industries.

    VentureFuel, Inc., a leading corporate innovation consultancy, is driving what’s next – now – in dairy innovation through the continued partnership with CMAB. “Each year, we tap into our global network of investors, founders, academics, and idea generators to maximize collective opportunities,” said Fred Schonenberg, Founder of VentureFuel, Inc. “Innovation continues to accelerate in product volume and the speed from idea to market. Now, we are matching the most promising companies with capital to be deployed intentionally, and with significant near-term, tangible impact.”

    This year, for the first time, the odds of receiving an award are higher than ever, with up to four of the eight participants receiving $50,000 each to grow and expand their product in California. One of the participating companies will unlock an additional $100,000 grand prize by establishing their presence in California and exhibiting the most promising growth within the 12 months after the finals. The total value of all competition awards tallies in at half a million dollars.

    More details including competition rules, timeline and application are available at realcamilkexcelerator.com. The deadline to apply is July 17th, 2022.

    California, known for innovation, has a reputation for quality dairy products. As the number one milk producer in the U.S., California also leads the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. More than 1,100 family dairy farms produce the 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 to unlock new sources of growth. We provide senior leaders with the tools to drive transformative change within their organizations by opening their teams to new ways of working, products, services and routes to market. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.  You can listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast on Apple, Spotify or Simplecast.

  • National Pizza Contest Finals for Innovative Recipes Showcasing Real California Cheese

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the 12 finalists for the 2022 Real California Pizza Contest (RCPC) – the fourth nationwide search for the best foodservice pizza recipes that include the most innovative uses of Real California cow’s milk cheeses. The professional chef finalists will compete in three categories during a public bake-off event in Napa, Calif. June 22, 2022 for awards totaling $30,000.

    Winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges including Tony Gemignani, chef, restauranter, international pizza authority and President of the World Pizza Champions; Glenn Cybulski, certified pizzaiolo and award-winning executive chef; and Spencer Glenn, executive chef at Pizza My Heart and 2021 RCPC Grand Prize Winner. The judges chose the 12 finalists from more than 100 blind-judged entries from throughout the United States, in the Cal-Mex, REAL Californian, and Plant-Forward recipe categories.

    “After four years, we continue to be inspired by the innovative use of our California cheeses in pizza contest entries. For such an established foodservice category, chefs haven’t run out of ideas and that’s what brings us back year after year,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “As the leading producer of mozzarella cheese and second largest cheese producer in the U.S., pizza remains an important category for our foodservice business. Connecting with and celebrating these chefs and their creations helps us build awareness for the tremendous products we have available.”

    The live bake-off finals event takes place at the Culinary Institute of America Copia facility in Napa, where pizzas will be prepared and baked onsite for a blind evaluation by judges. Category winners will each receive $5,000. The Grand Prize Winner, selected from the three category winners, will win an additional $10,000. Remaining finalists will receive $500 each.

    The 2022 finalists, listed alongside hometown and pizza entry name, are:

    Cal-Mex

    • Ryan Ososky, Los Angeles, Calif., Oaxacan in the Motorcity
    • Christopher Lascik, Yelm, Wash., El Puerco Verde
    • Austin Buckland, Marion, Ohio, La Fiesta
    • Marcus Medina, Tracy, Calif., Cali Craft Chicken Enchilazza

    The REAL Californian

    • Ray Cullison, Kingman, Ariz., California Dreamin’
    • Chris Decker, Las Vegas, Nev., For the Love of California
    • Jason Garland, Waverly, Minn., The Venice Beach
    • David Jacobson, Concord, Calif., The Gold Rush

    Plant-Forward

    • Leah Scurto, Windsor, Calif., Spear-It of Spring
    • Max Cufre, San Diego, Calif., Honey, I’m Home!
    • Yoshiharu Sogi, Sonoma, Calif., Sweet Blue
    • Melina Felix, Littleton, Colo., Green N’ Zesty

    RCPC bake-off finals will be streamed on Facebook Live on June 22 at 3 p.m. PST atfacebook.com/realcamilkfoodservice. Additional details on the bake-off, pizza chef finalists and CMAB’s foodservice support are available at Real California Pizza Contest.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs throughout the world. As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning cheesemakers and dairy processors, that are helping to drive dining innovation.

    About Real California Milk/the 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.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK),businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • Two Student Ambassadors To Share California Dairy Messages With International Audience

    Lauren Dutra of Hanford and Siena Rollin of Riverdale have been selected to represent the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) in Mexico during the 2022 CMAB International Internship Program.

    The interns, selected from students coming from a California dairy background enrolled in agriculture-related programs at colleges and universities, were chosen based on academic achievement, their connection to the California dairy industry and a willingness to travel abroad and learn more about international dairy sales and marketing. The goal of the International Internship Program is to provide young agriculture and dairy college students an opportunity to learn about dairy foods and marketing in the international marketplace, with a focus on developing leaders who will serve on dairy industry boards, work in dairy foods processing, or in sales or marketing.

    Over the six week period, the interns will spend time with in-country CMAB marketing organization, Imalinx, to gain a better understanding of these markets, consumer buying habits, and promotional efforts on behalf of California’s dairy industry. “California currently accounts for around 33 percent of all U.S. dairy exports so international trade is essential for our continued growth. Over the last decade, the CMAB has worked closely with partners in Mexico to develop markets for California dairy products. This program is focused on providing insight into international dairy marketing for future leaders,” said Glenn Millar, Director of International Business Development for the CMAB.

    Dutra, 21, of Hanford, is currently working towards her B.S. in Dairy Science from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, where she serves as a representative of the Dairy Club, as well as a Committee Member of the Cal Poly Western Bonanza Management Team.

    Dutra was also an active member of 4-H and FFA, and showed dairy cattle in both organizations. She served as District 7 Dairy Princess from 2019 to 2020. Upon completion of the internship program, she will continue to advocate for the dairy industry, and hopes to incorporate this passion into a career.

    Rollin, 20, of Riverdale, is currently working towards her B.S. in Agricultural Communications at Texas Tech University, where she founded and organizes the Dairy Club. She is a member of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow group at Texas Tech, where she also served as an Intern for the Spring 2021 Dairy Challenge. Rollin showed dairy cattle in both 4-H and FFA, and was an active member in both organizations. She earned a spot on the State winning 4-H Dairy Judging Team, which allowed her to compete nationally at the World Dairy Expo. She also served as District 8 Dairy Princess from 2019 to 2020. Upon completion of the internship program, Rollin hopes to advocate and help create policy on behalf of American farmers as Secretary of Agriculture.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and makes 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.

  • Real California Milk + Latina Singer-Songwriter CRYS Partner To Launch The First-Ever Cheese Record

    California Freestyle, the first-ever music record made of California cheese launches today, along with a free consumer download of the featured track that celebrates all things California and California dairy. California Freestyle, a collaboration from Real California Milk with Latinasinger-songwriter CRYS, captures the intersection of California music and delicious, sustainable dairy in itsrarest form – a playable record made from a wheel of real cheese from the Golden State. California Freestyle is a core element of Real California Milk’s new advertising creative and is currently available to download and stream on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Pandora, and YouTube Music.

    “To Live in the Golden State is an active, cultural experience, both physical and emotional, where weembrace everything that makes this state so special and we nourish ourselves with delicious, comforting food made with Real California Milk,” said John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board. “California Freestyle is more than a song, it’s a visual celebration of diverse people, individuality, iconic destinations, and food. It’s the rich and vibrant lifestyle and mindset of living in the Golden State.”

    In addition to the cheese wheel record, an accompanying music video showcasing CRYS in a variety of locations in the Golden State debuted during the April 3rd Grammys broadcast in California.

    “Partnering with CMAB has been a dream come true. There is nothing more fulfilling than creating art thatrepresents you and the things you love, like California dairy! And who doesn’t love cheese and ice cream!? From showcasing the rich and diverse cultural landscape of California to singing all about the things that make the West Coast the best coast, it’s been so much fun to bring this campaign to life,” said CRYS. “I’m so excited for people to experience what we created, and I look forward to more collaboration with CMAB.

    The cheese record version of California Freestyle started as a 14-inch, 12-pound wheel of Californiacheese (Fiscalini Farmstead San Joaquin Gold in this case, which itself was named for the Central Valley area that houses many of the state’s family dairy farms). The existing cheese casing was removed as well as a 1” high 7” space to insert a special vinyl gold record that was carefully pressed and embedded into the cheese wheel surface. All edges were sealed with cheese wax and the limited edition California Freestyle cheese record was made playable on a regular turntable. Consumers will be able to view the cheese record in real life this summer at various California destinations throughout the state or online at realcaliforniamilk.com.

    About CRYS

    CRYS is a Cuban-American independent artist based in Los Angeles. A creative visionary whose workvaries from her own Latin-infused pop music to voice acting for a family-friendly animated Christmas series, CRYS has serious range. Not only is she an incredible singer, she’s also a ghostwriter for other artists, on a journey to inspire more young creatives to use their voices to shift culture in a positive way. Follow CRYS on Instagram.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer and produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milkthan any other state. California is also the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. Sustainable California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, identifying products that source their milk from the Golden State’s dairy farm families.

    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 thestate, 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.

  • $30,000 Search for Original Pizza Recipes Showcasing California Cheese

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) today announced the launch of the 2022 Real California Pizza Contest, the fourth annual search for the best pizza recipes using Real California Cheese. The contest, which will award prizes totaling $30,000 for the most innovative uses of cow’s milk cheeses from California, is open for entries by professional chefs and culinary students throughout the U.S.

    Through April 24, participants can enter recipes in three categories: Cal-Mex, the REAL Californian and Plant-Forward. Cal-Mex recipes incorporate toppings that fuse flavors from California and Mexican cuisines and feature Hispanic-style cheeses from California. The REAL Californian will incorporate ideas inspired by the Golden State that showcase California cheeses and toppings. Plant-Forward pizza recipes will emphasize the delicious flavor combinations of fruits, veggies, and Real California Cheeses.

    This year’s contest also will include innovative ideas from winners of separate Real California Pizza Contests in Mexico who will compete in the final bake-off event at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, Calif.

    “With more than 78,000 pizzerias in the U.S. and another 100,000 plus restaurants serving some type of pizza or flatbread, pizza is an important category for California cheese and dairy and a perfect platform for showcasing innovation with California’s award-winning cheeses,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “Expanding the contest to include international pizza chefs and operators reflects the growth of the international market for pizza. And Mexico is just one example of countries where California cheeses and dairy products are available to culinary professionals.”

    Chefs desiring to submit a recipe can review the requirements and complete the entry at http://realcaliforniamilk.com/foodservice. In addition to the recipe, contestants are required to submit a short essay describing their personal and professional inspiration for their pizza creation. The deadline for contest submissions is April 24, 2022.

    A professional panel of judges will select twelve U.S. finalists to compete alongside their colleagues from Mexico in the bake-off on June 22, 2022. All finalists will win a cash prize. Finalists who are not category winners will receive $500 each. The winners in each category will receive $5,000, and the best overall pizza recipe creator will receive an additional $10,000 grand prize award.

    Interested chefs and culinary students in the U.S. can choose from more than 250 varieties and styles of cheeses that carry the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with sustainably sourced milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms. For a list of qualifying cheeses and cheesemakers, contest rules and to enter online, visithttp://realcaliforniamilk.com/foodservice.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of dairy products used by chefs throughout the world. Check out the CMAB’s REAL Makers chefs who rely on California dairy for their dishes.

    About Real California Milk/the 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 dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

  • Real CA Milk Spotlights Foodservice Innovation With 2022 Events For Professional Chefs

    The Foodservice Division of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) today announced the kickoff date for the 4th Annual Real California Pizza Contest, the return of the CADairy2Go competition and the rollout of a new culinary event focusing on Cal-Mex to round out its foodservice events for 2022.

    The 4th annual Real California Pizza Contest, a search for the best pizza recipes using cow’s milk cheeses from California, gets underway on March 1st. Professional chefs and pizzaiolos from throughout the U.S, can enter their innovative recipes from March 1 through April 24, 2022, for a chance to make it to the bake-off final on June 22, 2022, in Napa, Calif. and compete for up to $25,000 in prize money.

    The CADairy2Go Invitational is inspired by chefs and foodservice operators who made quick, creative pivots to adjust their menus for the takeout and delivery model during the disruption caused by the pandemic. Now in its 2nd year, the event will feature culinary professionals representing a variety of foodservice backgrounds, such as major restaurant chains, independent restaurants, ghost kitchens and food trucks who will gather in October to compete for a chance at up to $5,000 for their innovative To-Go recipes.

    The inaugural Cal-Mex Invitational, scheduled for August, captures creations from chefs who specialize in the culinary and flavor fusion of California and Mexican cuisines.

    “Cheese is at the heart of culinary innovation – from creative pizzas to flavorful to-go and fusion dishes. As the leading producer of Hispanic-style cheese and dairy products, we’re excited to add the Cal-Mex Invitational to our foodservice outreach program and to see what the chef’s develop,”

    said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “These competitions offer a tremendous opportunity to partner with culinary professionals to spotlight their creativity using our sustainably sourced Real California dairy products.”

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs throughout the world. As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning cheesemakers and dairy processors, that are helping to drive dining innovation.

    California leads the nation in milk production and is responsible for producing more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state 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/the 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.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK),businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • Real California Milk Kicks Off 2022 With Smoothie Retail Campaign

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the launch of a consumer promotion focused on starting off the New Year with health and wellness in mind. The “Renew, Reset, Restore” campaign communicates the message that high quality, sustainably sourced California dairy products are a delicious and effective way to help achieve lifestyle goals in the new year. The featured promotional menu includes innovative smoothie and smoothie bowl recipes made with Real California milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

    The month-long promotion, which runs through January 30, will be supported with a rebate offer on California dairy products through the Checkout 51 platform. 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.

    “Dairy foods are high in powerful proteins, making them a great option to help with reaching health and wellness goals. These proteins fuel the body by providing a unique combination of nutrients only found in real dairy,” said Katelyn Harmon, Director of Business Development, U.S. Retail for the CMAB. “These recipes are designed to be delicious, packed with nutrients and as easy to make, whether they are enjoyed at home or on the go.”

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer and 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, visitRealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • 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.