And the nominee in the category best (new) local product …YO SOUR CREAM LIGHT and GOOD2GROW YOGURT SMOOTHIE

Principal: Dairy Industries Jamaica Ltd

E-mail address: info@dairyindustriesjamaica.com

A brief background of the company and the product(s)

Since 1964, Dairy Industries Jamaica Ltd (DIJL), the producers of the world-renowned Tastee Cheese, have been the manufacturer of a range of delectable and nutritious milk-based products. Under the joint venture agreement between GraceKennedy Group and Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd we are able to leverage the strength and innovation of both globally recognised brands.

The company is well-known for its household brands such as Tastee Cheese, Anchor, Good2Grow and This Is Really Great!, which is our very own market-leading yogurt brand.

Our line of products includes:

• Processed cheese and cheese spreads

• Powdered milk

• Cultured products including Yogurt and Sour Cream

We have been satisfying the palates of consumers in Caricom and North American countries and are committed to expanding our market reach globally.

Our state-of-the-art production facility has revolutionised how we produce and maintain our product quality as well as appeal to the changing needs of our consumers, local and international regulatory bodies.

In 1995 DIJL became the first company in the Caribbean to be certified to ISO 9001 standard. In 2007, we were granted Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification from Guelph Food Technology Centre in recognition of our food safety programme. Most recently DIJL was certified to FSSC 22000:2017.

We are firm believers in the importance of maintaining high levels of quality, food safety and operational excellence, and are on a quest to continuously improve our people and processes through training and innovation.

The range of new products

• Sour Cream

• Drinkable Yogurt

Where are the ingredients sourced?

All our dairy ingredients are sourced from Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, our parent company in New Zealand.

Where are the products currently sold?

Currently available in HiLo Supermarket, General Foods, Select Grocers, Progressive Grocers, Loshusan Supermarket, Intown Super Center, Brooklyn Supermarket, MegaMart, Shoppers Fair, Lee’s Food Fair, The Super Bargain Store, Ho’s Hui Ming Supermarket Giant Family Mart, among other major retailers.

The story behind the packaging of the products

• In designing the packaging, the product development committee wanted to ensure that the product is affordable; this directly determined the net weight of each product. The colours were strategically chosen to reflect the vibrancy of the brands allowing it to stand out on supermarket shelves. Each product also offers the option to reclose the tub or bottle in the event it is consumed over several servings.

• Of note, the bottles were specifically created to be comfortably grasped in the palm of your hands — it’s the simple details with a grand impact.

We made these products because… DIJL continuously strives to meet our consumers’ changing needs and evolving global trends by offering an alternative way to consume yogurt while complementing the traditional spoonable format under the Good2Grow brand.

The pandemic brought to the forefront the impact of supply chain challenges and by extension the threat to food security. Considering this, the company will continue to have a positive impact on local manufacturing by providing products that are traditionally imported such as sour cream. One step towards our country being more self-sufficient.

Our first breakthrough came when… the company pioneered the manufacturing of yogurt locally. This was over 30 years ago when yogurt was relatively new to the Jamaican market.

The products became available to the public in… October 2021.

Our core customers are:

YO Sour Cream: Persons who enjoy preparing quick and easy meals as well as desire a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing flavour

Good2Grow Yogurt Smoothie: Children between the ages of 6 and 14 years that are active and on the go. We also appeal to parents who desire a healthy beverage alternative for their children.

The response to the products has been… exceptionally well for both our yogurt smoothie and sour cream. Consumers appreciate the convenient packaging and flavours offered in the yogurt smoothie combined with the health benefit such as calcium, protein, and live and active cultures synonymous with cultured dairy products.

Our YO Sour Cream is offered in a smaller format than what is currently imported; this places the product at a more affordable price point for consumers while tapping into the health trends with our light variant providing 60 per cent less calories than full fat sour cream.

Our products are successful because… they are of the highest quality while satisfying the palates of our consumers. As a manufacturing facility this expansion will undoubtedly support local employment thrusts; demonstrate confidence in our local manufacturing facility especially our food-service industry that has been affected by supply chain challenges as well as reduce the import bill on similar product lines.

Expansion plans include… continuously reviewing our portfolio with the aim to position our business for long-term growth. This includes diversifying our product portfolio to include a wider range of dairy based products such as cream cheese and shredded cheese offered in both retail and food-service formats.

Are there any major challenges faced or indeed anticipated… global supply chain disruptions continue to impact steady flow of raw materials and packaging supplies.

Jamaicans should support the product because… there is pride in knowing that world-class quality products like these are manufactured right here in Jamaica. Manufacturing plays such a key role in our nation’s economic growth and development, providing employment for thousands of Jamaicans.

Good2Grow Yogurt Smoothie

G2G Yogurt Smoothie provides the health benefits of a spoonable yogurt in a delicious beverage.

An everyday kid’s beverage that hydrates, providing daily required nutrition.

Flavours:

Melon Berry Burst, Cotton Candy, Strawberry Pop, Peach Swirl

Net Weight: 207 ml

Benefits

• Good source of protein and calcium

• Made with probiotics

• Live and active cultures to deliver health benefits

• Low-fat

• Contains 1.95% milk fat

• Great on its own or an excellent base for fruit bowl or smoothie

• Made in Jamaica

YO Sour Cream Light

A low-calorie creamy and smooth sour cream that can make your best meal even better.

Net Weight: 170g

Benefits:

• Low-fat

• 60% less calories than full fat sour cream

• Good source of calcium

• Great on its own or an excellent base for a world of meals

• Creamy and smooth

• Made in Jamaica