Land O’Lakes is known for its range of savory dairy food products like cheeses and butter, but did you know that milk supplied by our co-op members is also used in ways that can satisfy your sweet tooth? 

Kozy Shack® refrigerated snacks, ranging from rice and tapioca pudding to flan, is our line of sweet treats. Whether being enjoyed in the comfort of your home or at a school or hospital, these creamy treats made with familiar ingredients are a perfect way to indulge in a much-deserved “me moment.” 

From New York beginnings... 

Kozy Shack was founded by Vincent “Vinnie” Gruppuso in 1967, when he purchased the recipe for a rice pudding he loved from Cozy Shack deli in Brooklyn, New York. Vinnie began distributing the pudding, quickly developing a glowing reputation due to its delectable homemade taste. Over the years, Kozy Shack continued to gain popularity and expanded its reach throughout America, leading to Land O’Lakes acquiring it in 2012. 

Since then, we have shipped over 1.3 billion pounds of Kozy Shack® products across North America. Despite the high demand, we have continued Vinnie’s commitment to kettle-cooked products. This approach differentiates Kozy Shack from its competitors and resonates with consumers craving a taste of comfort and nostalgia, leading to a passionate online fanbase. 

“When we welcomed Kozy Shack into the Land O’Lakes family, we wanted to make sure that we did it right and stayed true to Vinnie's original recipes, delivering quality, familiar ingredients and unbelievably delicious puddings,” says Marketing Director Lori Kocer. “I think the impassioned reviews we see from our customers speak to the quality of the product we have been able to sustain.” 

...to the farm 

One of the key ingredients that has always been at the heart of Kozy Shack® Pudding is milk, making it a rich, creamy snack option. So, when Land O’Lakes purchased Kozy Shack, it naturally offered a new market for the milk produced by our cooperative members.  

Through the hard work of the milk sourcing team, Kozy Shack’s two production facilities in Hicksville, New York, and Turlock, California, now predominantly use milk sourced from Land O’Lakes member farms to produce the snacks, up from about 50% just after the acquisition.  

“What's so great about Kozy Shack® Pudding is that it really does celebrate dairy,” says Marketing Manager Maddy Conway. “No matter which flavor you’re enjoying, it starts with milk supplied by our members.”  

So, the next time you enjoy a Kozy Shack® treat, you can be comforted not only in the promise of rich, sweet flavors, but also in knowing you are supporting Land O’Lakes’ farmer-owners.