Consumers have become familiar with purchasing butter in the conventional rectangular blocks, yet Land O’Lakes is aiming to innovate with its new product. The agribusiness and food company is introducing butter balls in pre-measured sizes meant to simplify the cooking process. These half-tablespoon butter balls are packaged in a resealable half-pound bag and will be available at retailers across the Midwest. With sales reaching $16 billion last year, Land O’Lakes stated that its innovation team has been exploring solutions for the millions of Americans who increased their home cooking during the COVID-19 pandemic. The member-owned cooperative noted that nearly 75% of U.S. consumers are keen to continue cooking meals at home, and many are looking for a more convenient approach. “We view this product as a response to the convenience consumers desire, while staying true to the quality they expect from sweet cream butter,” Heather Anfang, U.S. Vice President of Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, remarked in a statement. “Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic across various sectors, we chose to forge ahead and are thrilled to launch this unique product for consumers this summer.”
Previously unpopular due to its unhealthy image, butter had been regaining traction before the pandemic. Consumers making a wide range of baked goods were drawn to its simple ingredient list and clean label. The demand for butter is projected to rise, with the global butter market expected to grow from $37 billion last year to over $49 billion by 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights. Like many food products, butter prices have surged in the past year, increasing nearly 16%, as reported by the U.S. government. Dairy prices have been particularly affected due to rising demand and increased costs associated with cattle, animal feed, and labor.
In response to rising dairy prices, global dairy producer and processor Saputo is taking a different approach. Its new Vitalite line of plant-based cheeses contains no dairy whatsoever. Vitalite offers mozzarella and cheddar slices, shreds, grated parmesan, and spreadable cream cheese alternatives that aim to replicate the taste and melt quality of traditional dairy cheeses. “As the demand for vegan cheese rises, many consumers have expressed frustration in finding plant-based options that meet their expectations,” stated David Cherrie, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation at Saputo Dairy USA. “Being a dairy company, we excel at crafting cheeses that people love and crave. Where other plant-based cheeses fall short, we recognized an opportunity to leverage our cheese-making expertise to develop a tasty plant-based alternative.”
Canada’s Saputo, one of the largest dairy companies globally, possesses extensive traditional cheese-making knowledge and a brand portfolio that includes Frigo, Treasure Cave, Stella, Montchevre, and Black Creek. The company has been preparing for this launch for some time, having acquired Bute Island Foods, a U.K.-based plant-based cheese manufacturer, last year. In announcing this acquisition, CEO and Board Chair Lino Saputo emphasized that it helps position innovation as a priority for the company.
While the plant-based cheese sector has existed for years, Saputo is only the second large cheese manufacturer to venture into this market, with Bel Group being the other major player. In 2019, the French company committed to producing plant-based versions of its popular cheese brands, launching the Nurishh brand last year. The majority of competitors in the plant-based cheese market are startups or companies focused solely on plant-based products. Global dairy giant Danone is also entering the space, launching cheese under its So Delicious brand and purchasing plant-based cheese leader Follow Your Heart last year.
Vitalite, made with coconut oil and potato and grain starches, benefits from Saputo’s cheese-making expertise and broad distribution network. The entry of traditional cheese manufacturers into the plant-based market not only increases the likelihood that these cheeses will closely resemble their dairy counterparts but also expands the variety of plant-based options available to consumers. Given that Saputo has experienced significant cost increases in its dairy business due to inflation and supply chain issues, introducing a plant-based line may positively impact the company’s bottom line and appeal to cost-conscious consumers.
In a new initiative called Unstuck, consumers can now purchase their favorite food items while also supporting job creation for refugee workers who source the ingredients. Launched by the Tent Partnership, founded by Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, Unstuck has announced its first co-branded products in collaboration with several food brands. This initiative marks the organization’s first consumer-facing effort, dedicated to generating job opportunities for refugees worldwide.
The products include Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt with Tropical Fruit on the Bottom, La Colombe Monaco Medium Roast Coffee, GoodPop Mango Chile popsicles, Petit Pot Dark Chocolate Organic French Dessert, Pitaya Foods Natural Passion Fruit and Organic Avocado smoothie mixes, and That’s It Mango Probiotic Fruit Bars. The organization aims to provide safe, legal, and fair job opportunities for refugees in food sourcing facilities across various countries, including Colombia. With over 36 million refugees globally, many of whom have fled war-torn countries, Unstuck acknowledges that most will be displaced for the long term.
Nick O’Flaherty, director of Unstuck at the Tent Partnership, emphasized their unique approach by focusing on securing work for marginalized groups rather than the typical relationship between charitable organizations and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. “Instead of asking brands to donate a portion of their profits, we connect them with top-tier suppliers committed to hiring refugees, helping them rebuild their lives,” O’Flaherty explained. “Unstuck’s innovative model ensures that brands’ support for refugees is sustainable and long-lasting, allowing us to scale our impact as more brands and consumers join the movement.”
Chobani’s founder, an immigrant from Turkey, aligns with Unstuck’s mission as they look to expand their efforts in Turkey. Since founding the Tent Partnership in 2016, Ulukaya has committed much of his wealth to addressing the refugee crisis, as highlighted in a 2016 article in Nonprofit Quarterly.