The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for the cheese category. While the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced demand for cheese in foodservice, the category’s growth at retail was extensive, notes Kelly Slentz, associate brand manager, cheese for La Farge, Wis.-based Organic Valley.

It’s been 26 years since the California Milk Processor board first launched its legendary “Got Milk?” campaign. Even with the passing of time, the slogan (picked up the Milk Processor Education Program) still speaks to milk’s role as an at-home, every day staple.

Dairy foods and beverages are facing challenges that include competition from plant-based dairy wannabes, global trade obstacles and more. But the odds are in dairy’s favor as processors home in on consumers’ evolving wants and needs.