The Co-op Food Stores of New Hampshire and Vermont

Check out the latest Q&A with our staff members about a popular Co-op product and learn more about the food industry from people you can trust.

Hey There, Co-op! Where Did My Favorite Yogurt Go?

by Pat Neily, Dairy Merchandiser

Recently some dedicated Co-op customers asked us why one of their favorite products—Colombo Yogurt—disappeared from our shelves. It’s a great question with a complex answer.

The End of Colombo?

Colombo Yogurt, which was created in an Andover, MA, kitchen some eight decades ago, has become another thing of the past. General Mills, which bought the brand in 1993, recently discontinued production and distribution of this former diet staple. Once the fourth most popular yogurt in the nation, Colombo was discontinued because General Mills said it wanted to focus on its Yoplait brand.

To industry insiders, the change isn’t necessarily surprising. Yogurt is a fast-growing, ever-changing sector of the dairy industry. The food-industry publication Progressive Grocer reports in its 2010 Frozen-Dairy Trend:

“Yogurt will continue to be the sales growth driver and new product innovator in dairy. Consumption continues to grow as consumers become aware of health benefits. While the recession slowed sales, small premium yogurt brands and private label continued to grow. The hottest trend in yogurt … is natural and organic. Additional trends in this category include functional yogurt with probiotics, high protein and fiber, as well as Greek-style, indulgent dessert-style, and kid-targeted products.”

Looking at the Numbers

The Co-op takes seriously the growing consumer awareness of yogurt’s health attributes and diversity in yogurt tastes. The numbers prove it:

• In 2009, yogurt was the number one selling category in the Dairy department, totaling 21% of department sales.
• Nearly 400 varieties are represented by over 30 brands and from such varied sources as cow, goat, coconut and soy milks, as well as kefir.
• Our stock of yogurt comes from countries and styles as diverse as Iceland and Greece, to regional producers like Cabot cooperative, to artisanal local makers like Butterworks Farm, Old Chatham, and Oak Knoll Goat Milk Yogurt.

Love Yogurt? Learn More

• Greek Yogurt by Rosemary Fifield
• Cooking with Greek Yogurt by Rosemary Fifield
• Yogurt Recipes

What Do You Think?

Have some thoughts about this article? We’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite yogurt at the Co-op and why? Please email us or fill out our comment form. Want to sign up for e-newsletter updates?Join our list!