Here’s a new product worth talking about: Yoplait® Yogurt Chips. Did you know that as a dairy producer you helped to launch this new product, which use both yogurt and milk, through your dairy checkoff investment? Dairy Management Inc., in partnership with General Mills, owner of the Yoplait® brand, helped to developed this new line of frozen fruit and yogurt smoothies. The yogurt chips use a breakthrough technology to develop a yogurt product that is blended with fruit and eight ounces of fluid milk.
The smoothies were developed to help meet consumer needs for nutritious and convenient dairy products that also taste good. The smoothies, which can be found in the frozen fruit section in grocery stores nationwide, are available in three flavors — Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Mango Pineapple and Triple Berry.
“Sales of yogurt and smoothie products have been a shining star for the dairy category in recent years,” said Paul Rovey, Arizona dairy producer and chair of Dairy Management Inc.™, which manages the national dairy checkoff. “Checkoff-funded dairy ingredient marketing efforts work with key food and beverage manufacturers to assist in the development of new products that drive volume by highlighting the nutrition, functionality, versatility and good taste of dairy ingredients.”
General Mills, in collaboration with national and local dairy promotion organizations, is rolling out the frozen fruit and yogurt smoothie products in grocery stores across the nation this fall. The launch also will include in-store sampling events to boost sales. Consumer research indicates that, once consumers tried the smoothies, they became regular customers. The smoothies will result in an estimated 120 million pounds of additional milk volume used each year.
Editor’s Note: The Yoplait trademark is owned by Yoplait Marques Internationales SAS (France) and used under license by General Mills. General Mills proudly owns and operates the Yoplait yogurt business in the United States.