Scott Philip Quigley, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ag Business. Worked with the CMAB Business Development team to research ingredient costing and market breakdown of high end products at a luxury SoCal grocer. The project helped identify consumer preferences of taste, health benefits, and nutritional value to support CMAB strategies in this market. Alex Pope, CalPoly San Luis Obispo, Ag Business. Worked on a faculty-led project focused on Nibble, a bite-sized cheesecake snack. This internship project is designed to take this product from early concept to early-stage market. The project goal is to validate the product in market, build traction and develop a foundation for future launch and scale.
Strengthening Academic Institutions and Networking
Staff attended the SupplySide Global event in Las Vegas. This event brings together suppliers and ingredient manufacturers that supply the food and supplement industry.
Staff attended to understand ingredient trends and opportunities, meet with suppliers for both innovation projects and to support short courses and education events, and to highlight potential opportunities for new products. This show featured an emphasis on food products to support GLP-1 focused diets and gut health (the intersection of pre- pro- and postbiotics).
CDIC is working with CalPoly Pomona towards the development of the University’s first Dairy Production, Processing and Marketing class (to be offered in Fall 2026. A one-day event with industry partners to discuss outcomes of the course and obtain industry feedback is to be scheduled early 2026.
CDIC is working with Fresno State for the next phase of the development of the Creamery, updates to the pilot and developing scenarios in collaboration with the Dean’s Office. In-depths audits of the facility and meetings with stakeholders were held.
Innovation Grants for Industry – Pacific Coast Coalition CDIC staff worked with California processors applying for USDA Value-Added Producers Grants, which help agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Grants of up to $250,000 were available through this program, with approximately $30 million in
total available funding. CDIC staff worked with several producers on opportunities for vertical integration. CDIC staff attended Pacific Coast Coalition planning meetings.
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