Sweet dreams are truly made of cheese! From brie, mozzarella, and parmesan to pepperoncino and burrata, there’s a cheese for every occasion. More and more consumers are reaching for specialty cheeses for their cooking, charcuterie, and snacking needs. What does that mean for innovation in specialty cheeses? How do cheese companies adapt to changing consumer preferences and demand?   Joining us this week on The Dairy Download are two guests at the center of the specialty cheese industry, who...

AI is on the cutting edge of new and growing technology that can be leveraged to enhance production, supply chain efficiency, and product sales. How are dairy companies adapting to incorporate this tool into their operations? What else is on the horizon for AI, and how can the dairy industry rise to meet it?  Joining us this week on The Dairy Download are two guests who know how powerful AI can be as an advantage for dairy businesses and have built partnerships across the industry to realize...

Consumer debt is on the rise. Interest rates and land values remain high. Global agricultural trade has been flat while production increases. So, where is the ag economy headed?   Joining us this week on The Dairy Download are two guests who know the ins and outs of agricultural markets. Corey Geiger, the lead economist for dairy production and processing with CoBank, and Dr. Michael Swanson, chief agricultural economist within Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute, talk to us about interest...

GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic are traditionally prescribed to treat diabetes and obesity. But recently, these drugs have broken into the mainstream as a weight loss solution. As we learn more about the implications and long-term effects of these drugs, questions arise about their impact on food demand. Are medications like Ozempic here to stay? And what does their increasing popularity mean for food sales and consumer trends? Joining us this week on The Dairy Download are two guests...

The 33.8 million meals served each day in public schools provide a variety of healthy foods and beverages, including milk and dairy. Milk contains 13 essential nutrients that are critical to ensure children’s healthy growth and development. It is also the primary source of protein, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium for kids aged 2-18. School meals are a key opportunity for children to get important nutrients in their day, and milk is a central part of that.  Joining us this week on The Dairy...

America currently faces chronic food insecurity and many families across the country struggle with hunger every day. Dairy products are nutrient-dense, and increasing access to affordable options can increase food security for those struggling the most.   This week on The Dairy Download, we are joined by two guests who are working to increase access to dairy with the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) program. HFMI projects provide SNAP beneficiaries with a dollar-for-dollar match when they...

Sporting events bring friends and family together to celebrate, cheer on your team, and serve up some delicious meals. With one of the biggest American game days right around the corner, let’s look at what is in dairy’s starting lineup for the event! This week on The Dairy Download, we talk with two experts in marketing and brand engagement with leading dairy companies about what trends they see in the weeks and months leading up to the Super Bowl, and what products their companies are...

Despite its recent economic woes and slowing dairy import demand, China represents an expansive market with new opportunities for long-term growth for U.S. dairy exports. This week on The Dairy Download, we talk with two experts who have served with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to talk about where the U.S.-China trade relationship stands today, and where we might be headed in the future. What are some of the unique...

As 2023 comes to a close, The Dairy Download takes a look at some of the year’s market trends, surprises, highs and lows, and dives into what we might see in 2024. How did Mexico’s strength and China’s weakness impact dairy exports? How did consumer demand fluctuate throughout the year and what did that mean for the dairy market? Tune in to get insight from three expert panelists on what the dairy market will look like in the new year! If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of...

Trade with India. Rising interest rates. Alcoholic dairy drinks. If it impacted the dairy industry, we covered it this year on The Dairy Download. Join our hosts for a special year-in-review episode as we take a look back at this year’s notable topics and quotable guests. If your company is interested in sponsoring a block of episodes of The Dairy Download, contact IDFA’s Melissa Lembke at [email protected].

Delicious, festive, and popular – beverages like eggnog, cream, and coffee drinks see the spotlight during different seasons throughout the year. On a new The Dairy Download, two guests with an eye on the market for beverages share what beverage trends mean for dairy demand. How does demand for dairy products shift around the holidays? Dawn Burns, marketing manager of category growth with Organic Valley, shares the ups and downs of dairy demand around the holiday season and highlights all...

Integrity, courage, commitment – veterans of the U.S. armed forces possess unique values and skillsets that lift up the dairy industry. This Veteran’s Day, we talk with two veterans who have successfully transitioned from active duty to leadership roles within the dairy industry. How can veterans translate their military experience into marketable skills that companies look for when hiring? What difficulties do many veterans face when transitioning to civilian work? Air Force veteran Walter...

Skim milk, or whole? The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has long held that Americans should limit saturated fats from dairy products for a healthy diet. But does that recommendation conflict with the latest science on dairy fats? In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we talk with two nutrition experts about current efforts to update dietary guidelines and where fat-filled choices fit in. First up is Dr. Linda Snetselaar, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa College...

From Mexico to the Middle East, people around the world enjoy dairy products exported from the U.S. In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we speak with Alexis Taylor, USDA under secretary for trade and foreign affairs, about her role in keeping the U.S. a go-to for international dairy business. In an in-depth interview, Under Secretary Taylor tells our hosts more about the current global trade landscape. How are U.S. officials working to rectify issues with the United...

What makes hot chocolate, pumpkin pie and strawberry daiquiris even better? Often, it’s a dollop of dairy – of the whipped variety. In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we speak with two leaders innovating the whipped cream space and bringing a dash of aerosol goodness to your favorite treats. First up is Tracy Luckow, co-founder and president at Whipnotic. Setting out to shake up a childhood favorite, Luckow and her sister created an all-natural product with new flavors and...

From reducing methane emissions to implementing recyclable packaging, U.S. dairy is making environmental sustainability a priority. In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, our guests shed light on innovative ways dairy companies are leading on climate action. First up is Britt Lundgren, Senior Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs at Stonyfield Organic. With funding from a USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities grant, Stonyfield is taking steps to reduce emissions and shift to...

Eat your vegetables. Drink your milk. You’ll grow big and strong! Children often hear these adages at the dinner table. But how much do we tailor our food to benefit our health? Can up-and-coming food trends – such as clean label, all-natural products – heal and boost our bodies? In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we speak with two leaders on the cutting edge of food as medicine. First up is Dr. Marc Watkins, Chief Medical Officer with Kroger. Is it possible to get nutritional...

The sun is out, temperatures are rising and kids are out of school. It’s summer – time for flip flops, pool time and a few scoops of ice cream. In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we talk with a few leaders dishing out delicious in the frozen treat space. First, we hear from Jinny Lam, Director of Category Growth for Ice Cream at Tillamook County Creamery Association. What does the path look like from dairy farm to ice cream churn? How does Tillamook market and differentiate its ice...

No one loves dairy quite like India. The world’s most populous country consumes more dairy than any other country in the world, but it also produces the most milk. How then can the United States gain significant market access? In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we speak with two experts about the policy and business opportunities ahead for dairy trade between the U.S. and India.   First up is Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, former assistant U.S. Trade Representative for agricultural affairs...

Whether it’s a slice of pizza or a prime-cut steak, whether it’s served on a white tablecloth or in a cardboard box, restaurant food has become a staple of American diets.  But even with pandemic shutdowns and restrictions primarily in the rearview, food service still faces obstacles to attracting diners. In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we speak with two experts about the current state of the restaurant business. First up is Jonathan Maze, Editor-in-Chief of Restaurant Business....

Banking failures. Interest rate hikes. Market turmoil. Recent headlines are fueling anxiety around the economy. How are these fears seeping into the agricultural industry? In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we’re joined by two experts who map out the state of the ag economy. First up is John Newton, Chief Economist with the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry. Farmers are facing increased expenses amid interest rate hikes and elevated input costs. What...

Your favorite drink may include a splash of club soda, an ounce of liqueur or a cocktail umbrella. But what about a shot of dairy? In the latest episode of The Dairy Download, we raise a glass and speak with two executives innovating popular spirits and cocktails. First up is Emily Darchuk, founder and CEO of Wheyward Spirit. A food scientist by background, she pioneered a way to convert whey into alcohol. What’s the process of moving dairy from farm to flask? And what goes well with...

Consumers may not be trapped at home exploring old recipe books and comfort foods, but they are still shopping at retail more frequently than they were prior to the pandemic. At the same time, inflation has consumers tightening their pocketbooks and looking for more affordable options when they go shopping. The latest episode of The Dairy Download features conversations with two guests who can speak to the trends driving demand of dairy and other categories at grocery stores. First, Darren...

Do influencers really influence what and where we eat? Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram feature a lot of food content, from mini cooking tutorials to QSR restaurant reviews and a whole lot in between. The latest episode of The Dairy Download features conversations with two guests who’ve seen the videos move the needle. First, Darryl Postelnick tells us how a former technology executive found himself with more than 2.7 million followers of his TikTok cooking videos. Darryl...