2025 May Board Book

Processor Updates

Processor Partnerships and Business Development Foodservice team are working together with Peet’s Coffee (HQ based in Emeryville, CA) on a lactose free milk test. Peet’s operates over 200 coffee shops in California, which accounts for 80% of their stores. The objective of this collaboration is to expand dairy consumption through more choices for the coffee consumer who are lactose intolerant. This consumer has chosen plant based beverages in their coffees over dairy due to this condition. From a supply chain and sourcing standpoint, Peet’s currently buy whole, 2%, 1% and fat free milk along with plant based beverages that come from California. We are still in the early stages of the project but tracking to roll out the test in 10 stores in June 2025. The RCM seal will be part of the marketing communications and materials in the stores for the test. If successful, the program will expand to their coffeeshops nationally in November 2025. Metrics of a successful test are still being defined so we will align with the Peet’s team on these details. Furthermore, Processor Partnerships team is working with Peet’s sourcing division (MRV Consulting) on supply solutions. This includes working with processors including Alta Dena DFA, Lucerne Milk plants, Heritage Rockview, Shehady Family, and others. Ultra Filtered Milk Project Update – We now have a CMAB formulation finalized that we can offer to retailers, brand marketers and processor partners who have interest in commercializing a dairy product that is lactose free, high protein and lower in sugar than regular milk. Having a CMAB formula is major milestone, however it is now up to a retailer or brand marketer to commercialize this so as long it meets their cost and profit targets. We will continue to work with strategic retail partners who have expressed strong interest in going to market under their own private label brands. Insymmetry (Incendo), was impacted by a devastating fire that destroy the plant on April 12, 2025. Everything, including the retort equipment, filler lines and inventory was destroyed. Fortunately, over 20 employees made it out of the fire safely. Insymmetry joined the CMAB program in 2024 as part of the Excelerator cohort. Rachel Cua (CEO) and Josh Cua (COO and Microbiologist/chemist) is a husband and wife team, founded the company over 10yrs ago. They found a business/niche in running small bottle lines with low minimums for startups, brand marketers and retailers, covering categories in coffee, tea, energy drinks, water, and most recently caffeine milk shots using Real California Milk. It is a huge loss in our processor community. Thrifty (Rite Aid) plant in El Monte, CA recently added single serve 3.6oz cup capabilities. The production line is now operational and ready to produce as of April, 2025. CMAB is working with the Thrifty team to support this business as retailers add this new size to their portfolio. This new size is perfect for grab and go, snacking and portion control occasions. It is also a key selling tool for retailers to encourage more trial for their shoppers who may not be familiar with their brands. Sweet Kiwi, founded in 2019 by Ehime Eigbe-Akindele and Michael Akindele created a line of greek yogurt pint size desserts for retail. They entered into the Excelerator competition in 2021 where they placed 1 st . As their business grew over the years, they recently gained nationwide distribution at Albertsons (2200 stores) for a January 2025 launch timing. Along with the new distribution, Sweet Kiwi licensed with the new Smurfs movie (Summer 2025)