Research from the Global Dairy Platform shows that dairy foods, as part of healthy diets, can be linked to positive health outcomes at every stage of life. As more Americans rediscover the nutrition, versatility and flavor dairy offers, Land O’Lakes is proud to be leading with fresh ideas and new product formats. 

“Consumers are rediscovering what dairy does best: deliver essential nutrients and flavor in forms that meet modern lifestyles,” says Heather Anfang, President, Dairy Foods. “At Land O’Lakes, dairy is showing up in new formats while staying true to what it has always offered.” 

Across the cooperative, teams are developing products that make dairy easier to use, easier to enjoy and easier to fit into busy lives — from pre‑measured butter balls to snackable cheese cubes. 

Reimagining butter for today’s kitchen

Innovation isn’t only about new flavors — it’s about how dairy fits into real kitchens. A great example is our line of tub butter products. Introduced 23 years ago to give consumers a butter product that spreads straight from the refrigerator, these products remain among our most popular offerings. 

Flavored butter spreads take convenience a step further. Favorites like Cinnamon Sugar, Garlic & Herb, and Honey continue to delight fans, while Every Little Thing® Butter Spread — our take on “everything bagel” seasoning — returns for a limited time as part of our rotating flavor strategy. Pumpkin Pie Spice will also be back on shelves this fall. 

In 2022, we introduced Land O Lakes® Butter Balls, half‑tablespoon portions designed for everyday cooking. Inspired by the surge in at‑home cooking during the pandemic, butter balls reflect consumers’ ongoing desire for simple, flavorful meal prep using butter. 

Land O’Lakes also has half‑sticks of salted and unsalted all‑purpose butter. Individually wrapped to taste fresher longer, half‑sticks show how format innovation can be just as powerful as recipe innovation — small changes in shape and packaging can unlock new uses and keep a classic product relevant.  

And whether in half‑stick or full‑stick form, our FlavorProtect® Wrapper helps preserve butter’s delicate flavor over time.

Cheese formats that fit modern snacking

Americans love their cheese and are always looking for new ways to enjoy it — especially in snackable, portable formats that fit today’s eating habits. Whether it’s a handful of cubes, a slice for a sandwich or a ready‑to‑serve tray, flexibility is key. 

Our dairy case lineup includes more than 30 varieties — shredded, chunk, cracker cuts, snack cheese, and cheese cubes — available in over 3,000 stores across the Midwest and Northeast. Alongside classics like Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Colby Jack, we’ve expanded into new varieties such as Creamy Aged Italian, Habanero Jack and a Gouda/Havarti blend. 

Innovation that fuels member growth

Every new product does more than meet consumer needs — it creates a valuable outlet for our members’ milk. When shoppers choose Land O Lakes® dairy products, they’re supporting the 1,000+ dairy farmer‑owners who produce the milk behind them. 

“We’ve accelerated innovation and expanded our pipeline to five times its 2024 size — and see innovation as a growth engine for our business,” Heather says. “As a cooperative, this growth, in turn, supports our farmer‑members whose livelihoods depend on this demand.” 

With consumer interest rising and innovation accelerating, Land O’Lakes is well‑positioned to keep delivering the dairy foods people love — while strengthening the cooperative system behind them.

---

This story is the last in a special series highlighting dairy innovation at Land O’Lakes, in recognition of National Dairy Month. Read the other stories in the series here and here.