Dean Foods® Named 2016 Dairy Category Captain By 'Progressive Grocer'

"Progressive Grocer's editors were impressed with Dean Foods' efforts to drive a historically stagnant category by leveraging key trends, such as the DairyPure® Five-Point Purity Promise®, which aligns to consumers' desires for dairy products produced with no artificial growth hormones* and the assurance that every load of milk is tested for antibiotics prior to processing," said Jim Dudlicek, Editor-in-Chief, Progressive Grocer. "In addition, the company built two strong dairy brands, DairyPure and TruMoo®; created the first truly national fresh milk footprint; and shared promotional strategies that restored value and reduced discounting around the milk purchase."  

In 2011, Dean Foods launched TruMoo, a better-for-you flavored milk brand and in 2015 introduced DairyPure. TruMoo is now the largest flavored milk brand in the U.S.¹ and DairyPure is the first and largest fresh, white milk national brand, which is backed by its exclusive Five-Point Purity Promise. To support this category transformation and redefine milk as more than a commodity but a premium branded product, Dean Foods launched a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign. This investment has resulted in increased category sales and overall milk consumption for DairyPure products².

"Both TruMoo and DairyPure are now category-leading brands built on a purity-based platform, aligning with powerful consumer macro trends," said Greg Schwarz, Vice President of Marketing, Dean Foods. "Driven by our national expansion efforts, consumers now have the opportunity to enjoy our brands throughout the U.S., and we continue to work closely with our retail partners to transform the dairy case through insights and innovation."

Dean Foods also launched innovative line extensions in adjacent categories aligning with consumer trends. The company extended its TruMoo lineup with TruMoo High Protein and TruMoo Calcium Plus, in addition to several seasonal LTO flavors. DairyPure Lactose Free and Caribou® Premium Iced Coffee were also introduced into the marketplace earlier in the year helping drive continued category growth in the lactose free and ready-to-drink coffee segments. DairyPure Creams and Creamers were also made available in 2016.

As the nation's leader in the dairy industry, Dean Foods is excited to continue to reimagine the category, its role with consumers and its growth potential for retail.

About Dean Foods 
Dean Foods® is a leading food and beverage company and the largest processor and direct-to-store distributor of fluid milk and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the Dean Foods portfolio includes DairyPure®, the country's first and largest fresh, white milk national brand, and TruMoo®, the leading national flavored milk brand, along with well-known regional dairy brands such as Alta Dena®, Berkeley Farms®, Country Fresh®, Dean's®, Friendly's®, Garelick Farms®, LAND O LAKES® milk and cultured products**, Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms®, Mayfield®, McArthur®, Meadow Gold®, Oak Farms®, PET®***, T.G. Lee®, Tuscan® and more. In all, Dean Foods has more than 50 local and regional dairy brands and private labels. Dean Foods also makes and distributes ice cream, cultured products, juices, teas, Caribou Coffee®**** ready-to-drink coffee beverages and bottled water. Almost 17,000 employees across the country work every day to make Dean Foods the most admired and trusted provider of wholesome, great-tasting dairy products at every occasion. For more information about Dean Foods and its brands, visit www.deanfoods.com.

*No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from cows treated with the artificial growth hormone rBST and non-rBST-treated cows. 
**The LAND O LAKES brand is owned by Land O'Lakes, Inc. and is used by license. 
***PET is a trademark of Eagle Family Foods Group LLC, used under license. 
****Caribou Coffee is a trademark of the Caribou Coffee Company and is used by license.

¹ Source: IRI, MULO + C, 52 weeks ending 10/9/16 
² Source:  IRI Total US Food; 52 weeks ending 8/14/16

CONTACT: Corporate Communications, Sayeda Mahler, 214-721-7766 or [email protected]

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161110/438053

SOURCE Dean Foods

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