Author: Katie Montroy

This January, members of our team attended IDFA’s Dairy Forum in San Antonio, Texas. This is one of the biggest events for dairy food executives to connect with other industry leaders and discover new perspectives on issues impacting in the dairy industry. 

In our Two Tidbits series on LinkedIn, we cover our two main takeaways from the week:

This year, the forum’s theme was “limitless,” and there were plenty of sessions tailored to the idea that we can’t put limits on ourselves in order to succeed. For our team, limitless means keeping an open mind and being willing to try new things. We think a big part of limitless potential comes from supporting your team. Listening to unique ideas and perspectives and pursuing different ideas is where innovation can thrive. We think back to how Denali Brands was created: Our founders certainly weren’t afraid to say “yes” and dive into new adventures. 

Our second takeaway is to be authentic. One of this year’s speakers, Carla Harris, a renowned businesswoman and leader, includes authenticity as one of her “Pearls of Intentional Leadership.” We think Carla says it best: “You make more friends by being yourself.” For us, authenticity is a frequent topic because we wear multiple different hats serving customers, brand partners, and maintaining a strong consumer connection. We believe some of what makes Moose Tracks so great is that everyone who touches it—from flavor ideation to production—believes in the product and loves it. Having genuine passion for our product has helped us build relationships and create a genuine environment to share ideas with others.  

Blending these two themes together, we’ve found that cross-generational authenticity can help with communication as a team. We poke fun at our generational differences, yes, but we also learn so much from each other and our unique approaches. By being authentic about our differences and keeping an open mind, we grow as a team! 

Click here to see the full LinkedIn video! 

In our Two Tidbits series on LinkedIn, we cover two quick insights on consumer trends in 2025.

First, we cover how consumers are increasingly looking at the health value of ingredients in their diet. Mintel’s Global Food & Beverage Trends report notes that the influx of weight-loss medicines will change perceptions of food, indicating that consumers may look to adding more functional ingredients to meet their daily essential nutrient needs. Consumers are turning to ingredient panels seeking foods meeting daily requirements like fiber, protein, and vitamins. This trend could help explain why a rising number of “healthy” ingredients are marketed on everyday and specialty food products, such as granola, sports drinks, plant-based proteins, and more. 

On the flip side, consumers are willing to compromise for moments of indulgence, according to Mintel. We even know lactose-intolerant friends who will “cheat” and eat ice cream! Speaking of ice cream, it’s also interesting to note that the views surrounding the “right time” to enjoy this product have changed. Ice cream can fit into many occasions, like an after-school snack or a scoop in your morning coffee, not just as an after-meal dessert. 

In short, as much as leveraging food for fuel is in, so are “imperfect habits.” We’re calling it the consumer balance. 

Watch the Two Tidbits on our LinkedIn page.