Advancing dairy research is a key strategy of dairy checkoff. Midwest Dairy funds research that solves industry challenges and partners with those who drive demand for dairy.
This includes developing and expanding pitch competitions in two Midwest states. These pitch competitions, a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation, allow Midwest Dairy and our partners to discover and support outstanding food and beverage entrepreneurs who value dairy products in their ingredients. We have seen exciting growth in this program, and Midwest Dairy is proud to say our partnership with The Hatchery Chicago continues to thrive. We were also eager to extend the pitch competition to a new area in 2024 by announcing our new partnership with No More Empty Pots in Omaha, Nebraska — a move that promises to further boost local entrepreneurship and dairy industry growth.
Midwest Dairy and No More Empty Pots launched the pitch competition to advance Omaha’s local entrepreneurship, foster innovation in product development and contribute to the growth of the local dairy industry. The No More Empty Pots pitch competition awarded two winners a $10,000 prize, six months of kitchen rental and other business development opportunities.
No More Empty Pots is a nonprofit organization that connects individuals and groups to improve self-sufficiency, regional food security and the economic resilience of urban and rural communities through advocacy and action. They serve youth and seniors by providing educational and experiential learning opportunities and workforce readiness training. You can learn more about them by visiting www.nmepomaha.org.
Applications were due in early May, and a final few contestants advanced to the last round held in June. Five businesses made it to the final pitch round. Midwest Dairy was thrilled to congratulate the winners: Dundee Popcorn and Coffee Alley. Their innovative use of dairy in their products and dedication to supporting local dairy farmers impressed us. Dundee Popcorn is a gourmet microwave popcorn business that sells primarily at the Omaha farmer’s markets. They use real butter and sell four flavors: salty, spicy, cinnamon and kettle. Coffee Alley is a Latina-owned business offering both trendy and traditional drinks. Its menu features cafe beverages with unique Mexican twists. The store also offers traditional Mexican baked goods.
Midwest Dairy’s partnership with The Hatchery Chicago began in 2022 when we co-hosted a pitch contest offering the winner six months of free access to a commercial kitchen in Chicago’s Garfield Park. Since then, the contest has expanded to include a first-place winner and two runners-up, with all winners awarded access to commercial kitchens. In 2024, the contest remained open to established businesses that use at least 30% dairy in their ingredient base, with no alternative dairy products. The first-place winner received one year of free rent at a commercial kitchen, while the runners-up winners received a six-month kitchen contract.
The Hatchery Chicago is a non-profit food and beverage incubator that supports local entrepreneurs in building and growing successful food businesses, cultivating local job opportunities for people from all backgrounds and accelerating inclusive economic growth on Chicago’s West Side. It is one of North America’s largest food and beverage incubators.
Congratulations to this year’s contest winner, Crafian Artisanal Toffee. This product is handcrafted in Chicago and uses only real ingredients. Shawn Johnson, the founder, envisions sourcing butter from Midwest dairy farmers in the future, adding a local and sustainable touch. The first runner-up was Community Creamery, and the second runner-up was Esculent Eats LLC.
“Winning the Midwest Dairy Sponsored Kitchen is a game changer for my business,” said Shawn Johnson, owner and founder of Crafian Artisanal Toffee. “Access to a personal kitchen allows me to rapidly scale my production and flavor innovations that cannot be overstated. However, I find myself even more excited about the opportunity to establish direct relationships with local farms, learn more about their process and gain access to amazing quality dairy that can further elevate and differentiate my toffee.”
Our ultimate goal is to help food vendors create sustainable businesses that can grow into their own spaces, continuing to sell and promote dairy products. The success of the pitch competition is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and the potential for dairy innovation, inspiring us to continue supporting these ventures. Midwest Dairy hopes to continue expanding our work with organizations like No More Empty Pots and The Hatchery as our values line up, and we look for businesses to help dairy farmers drive dairy sales.
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