Cottage cheese is having a moment, and not just on TikTok or Reels. Consumers are turning to the high-protein, clean-label dairy product as grocery prices rise and demand for simple, nutritious foods grows.
“It is nutrient-dense, lower-calorie, and it’s an affordable protein source as well,” says Emily Bialkowski, sales and marketing manager with Westby Cooperative Creamery.
She adds that cottage cheese also fits the diets of those seeking higher-protein meals.
“Another factor is we know that GLP-1 pharmaceuticals, protein intake is really important for people who are on those pharmaceuticals,” Bialkowski says.
To meet this renewed demand, Westby Cooperative Creamery is investing in a major modernization project at its processing plant. While the expansion isn’t about increasing milk supply — the co-op already has enough from its member farms — it will improve efficiency and boost output.
“We’re going to see 10 to 15 percent more cottage cheese from the same amount of milk with this modern equipment,” Bialkowski explains. “It’s going to save energy, it’s going to save us time, production time is going to be reduced from 16 hours to eight hours.”
The new enclosed stainless-steel vats will also save energy compared to the older open-top models.
“Our new equipment will be fully enclosed, and if you think about when you boil water on the stove, if you put a lid on top of that water, it’s going to boil faster,” she says.
As demand for high-protein foods continues to grow, this investment positions the cooperative to keep up, one batch of cottage cheese at a time.
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