“Why can’t we have flavor dispensers with milk at quick-service restaurants?” asks Donna Berry, food scientist, consultant and editor of Berry on Dairy in her “10 Questions With. . .” interview for the NextGEN Dairy Network. The dairy trends prognosticator says “Custom-made milkshakes (just milk, not ice cream) with extra nutrition will surface in the near future. On the cheese and dips side, expect more bold flavors and ethnic fusion.

“But by far, my favorite is cottage cheese—the original high-protein cultured dairy food,” she says. “With the concept of meatless meals catching on, cottage cheese has potential to be used in a manner similar to tofu.”

In fact, a love of all cheeses is what attracted Berry to the dairy industry 25 years ago. Since that time, Berry has created her own brand and business, Berry on Dairy, and currently hosts a website that sends daily e-newsletters offering insights on new innovations in dairy products.

In the interview, she speaks from her experience to tell NextGEN Network members what she sees as the biggest areas for growth in the industry and how members can use the network to kick start their careers in dairy.

The interview is posted on the NextGEN Dairy Network microsite that was created specifically for NextGEN members. Four interviews with other dairy industry professionals are available, alongside member spotlights, articles on marketing and professional development, event photo galleries and more.

Register now for the NextGEN Dairy Network and gain access to “10 Questions With…”, member spotlights, relevant articles and news about upcoming events.

Take Advantage of NextGEN

In addition to online content, the NextGEN Dairy Network offers a variety of professional development opportunities, including the upcoming NextGEN Symposium, hosted by IDFA and Cornell University October 6-8, in Ithaca, N.Y. The symposium is designed to enhance personal and professional networks, increase self-awareness and improve leadership skills in a way that can drive change within an organization.

This year’s agenda includes a personality assessment workshop, a session on cultivating innovation at your company, pathogen control in dairy plants, dairy economics 101 and several concurrent sessions, including two plant tours.

There are still spaces available for the NextGEN Symposium. For more information and to register, visit the NextGEN Symposium microsite.

For more information about the NextGEN Dairy Network, Symposium and online content, contact Robin Cornelison, IDFA trade show director, at rcornelison@idfa.org.