2023 March Board Book

Diversifying Product Portfolio

Gelatos, dairy spreads and more The CDIC is working on a range of new product concepts and prototype projects, and is setting up resources to accomplish this year’s objectives. Projects range in scope, from new gelatos to dairy spreads, nutritional powders, pet food concepts and dairy-based cocktail mixes. The objective of the program is to: • Provide turn-key formulations to entrepreneurs and small-sized manufacturers who lack R&D capabilities. • Develop technical solutions, in collaboration with the R&D teams of processors for portfolio expansion initiatives. • Gain technical know-how and strengthen the knowledge base of staff at universities so they can effectively train new students and serve as subject matter experts for industry. Projects are being prioritized on the basis of their potential market impact and industry’s support.

Tech Support for entrepreneurs, Excelerator competitors, Incubator program participants.

CDIC collaborates with the Business Development Team to build upon product concepts developed by the CalPoly Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, and to support projects conducted with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This includes assisting student teams in the development of prototypes, to advance into campus based or regional competitions. CDIC also provides technical support on an on-going basis, through its academic and consultants network, to California producers and processors.

CDIC developed the framework for a Dairy Entrepreneurs Boot Camp/Incubator concept at CalPoly. It is also working with Chapman University on the concept of a multi-week dairy entrepreneurship course. Those programs would be designed to support CMAB’s Excelerator competition, and to address the major hurdles faced by entrepreneurs and small processors interested in entering the dairy sector in California . Fresno State Student Team selected as Finalist in National New Product Competition CDIC, in collaboration with Business Development staff presented opportunities

to compete for prizing in DMI’s 2023 national new product competition, which features $16,000 in cash prizes. A student team from Fresno State was selected as semi-finalist for the competition, with an innovative frozen dessert based on cottage cheese. Finalists will present their final product at the Institute of Food Technologists Meeting in June.