Dairy Checkoff Showcases Innovation, Research at Expo West

DMI positions itself as a strategic partner to help entrepreneurs, brands, and retailers bring dairy-based innovations to market

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is positioning itself as a strategic innovation partner and resource to the nearly 70,000 entrepreneurs, investors, brands and retailers attending Natural Products Expo West, the largest trade show for the consumer packaged goods and natural products industry. DMI will highlight its National Dairy Foods Research Center network, promote its online innovation resources, and showcase new dairy-based product concepts like cottage cheese ice cream to inspire attendees.

Why it matters

Expo West is a key event for showcasing the latest trends and innovations in the natural products industry. By participating, DMI aims to ensure dairy remains visible, relevant and competitive within this influential marketplace, creating new demand opportunities for dairy farmers.

The details

At its booth, DMI will highlight its National Dairy Foods Research Center network, which has received national and local checkoff support for nearly 40 years, and promote its online innovation platform dairyinnovator.com. DMI will also feature new dairy-based product concepts like cottage cheese ice cream, developed through collaboration across its consumer insights and research teams. The checkoff is also bringing entrepreneurial farmers and companies to its booth to demonstrate how ideas move from concept to shelf, including a farmer launching milk in cans and a yogurt maker featuring a high-protein, high-fiber line.

  • Natural Products Expo West will be held March 3-6, 2026 in Anaheim, California.
  • This will be the third consecutive year DMI has participated in the event.

The players

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI)

The organization that manages the national dairy checkoff program, seeking to drive sales and build trust in dairy products.

Natural Products Expo West

The largest trade show of its kind in North America for the consumer packaged goods and natural products industry, held annually in Anaheim, California.

Marla Buerk

Executive vice president of innovation for DMI.

Norrie Wilson

Innovation and insights consultant for DMI.

Joyce Racicky

Nebraska farmer and DMI board member.

Kim Korn

Idaho farmer and DMI board member.

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What they’re saying

“We're at Expo West to show entrepreneurs and innovators what's possible with dairy and how the checkoff's support and research network can help them bring ideas to life.”

— Marla Buerk, Executive vice president of innovation for DMI

“This is about inspiring innovation. We took two powerful trends – cottage cheese and high protein – and showed how dairy can stretch into entirely new categories. The concept demonstrates the depth of expertise and support our system provides, from insights to formulation to commercialization.”

— Marla Buerk, Executive vice president of innovation for DMI

“Consumers are telling us something is broken. They're highly motivated by health and wellness, but they're dissatisfied with what's available, so they're creating their own solutions. That creates a massive opportunity for brands – and for dairy – to deliver better answers.”

— Norrie Wilson, Innovation and insights consultant for DMI

What’s next

DMI is hosting an education session at Expo West titled 'What Consumers Really Want and Emerging Ways to Deliver It' to further reinforce its role as a strategic insights and innovation partner for brands.

The takeaway

By participating in Expo West, DMI is positioning itself as a key resource to help entrepreneurs, brands, and retailers bring innovative dairy-based products to market, tapping into the checkoff's research, insights, and commercialization expertise to drive new demand opportunities for dairy farmers.