2025 May Board Book

• Our goal is to create a robust showcase of California dairy innovation that continues to assert our leadership in the evolving natural and specialty CPG space 2025 University Update UC Davis – Mindworks: Innovating for Cognitive Health Event Summary:

This spring, CMAB partnered with the UC Davis Food Science Club to host a hands-on innovation competition focused on cognitive health and dairy science. Students were challenged to conceptualize and prototype dairy based products utilizing Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) — a bioactive dairy component linked to enhanced brain development and cognitive function, based on emerging scientific research from UC Davis and beyond. Challenge Focus: Students worked in teams to: • Explore new novel uses of MFGM • Develop physical prototypes • Create marketing and positioning strategies • Present a full case study and pitch to a panel of industry professionals Industry Participants & Supporters:

• Dairy Management Inc. • Hilmar Cheese Company • Straus Family Creamery • Valley Milk

Outcomes & Impact: • Five unique student brands were developed using MFGM ingredients, with concepts ranging from:

o Better-for-you sodas o Functional milk teas o Dairy-based ice creams • Students gained valuable hands-on experience working with a complex, functional dairy ingredient — MFGM — helping bridge the gap between emerging science and real-world product development • The competition provided exposure to the breadth of career and innovation opportunities within the

dairy industry , helping to cultivate the next generation of workforce talent • First-time deep industry involvement elevated the competition significantly, providing students with mentorship, feedback, and inspiration