TikTok made cottage cheese cool again, and Iowa farmers are ready

Just like in fashion, food trends often come back in style, and now classic cottage cheese is a hit among Gen Z.

It’s an easy, high-protein food that works for quick breakfasts, after-school snacks and budget-friendly meals.

On TikTok, you can see young influencers using cottage cheese to make smoothies, protein bowls and even copycat Twix candy bars.

But if click-bait recipes aren’t your thing, the everyday uses are simple: Top cottage cheese with fruit, stir it into scrambled eggs, spread it on toast or use it as a creamy dip with vegetables.

Thanks to today’s high-protein trend, cottage cheese is now one of the fastest-growing food categories in grocery stores. Cottage cheese sales are up about 50% over the past five years, according to the market research firm Circana.

Cottage cheese is also a nutritional bargain. One-half cup of low-fat cottage cheese offers 12 grams of protein and only 90 calories, without added sugar. Plus, it’s a good source of calcium, potassium and vitamin B12 – nutrients that are essential for muscle growth, energy and immunity.

Daisy cottage cheese plant in Boone to use milk from Iowa farmers

The cottage cheese comeback is more than a passing fad. It’s helping create new opportunities for Iowa dairy farms.

Currently, a new Daisy Brand cottage cheese plant is under construction in Boone to meet the growing demand. The plant, scheduled to open by 2028, will create 255 jobs and source its milk exclusively from central Iowa farmers.

And Iowa farmers, who have generations of experience in caring for dairy cattle, are stepping up to meet the growing demand for cottage cheese.

In 2024, Iowa moved up to No. 10 in the nation for annual milk production, the state’s first top-10 ranking in 30 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How Iowa dairy farmers keep milk safe from farm to store

You can feel confident knowing that Iowa farmers work hard to provide safe, healthy milk, cheese and yogurt for your family.

Milk is one of the most regulated and tested foods in the United States. From the farm to the store, milk is handled with food safety in mind. It’s kept cold, it’s tested and it’s tracked.

“What is being done on the farm is awesome. It’s a huge task, and it gives you that additional assurance,” says Terri Boylston, associate professor and associate chair of Iowa State University’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

As consumers, we also have a role to play in protecting food safety. Refrigerate milk and other dairy foods as soon as you get home from the store. This will not only prevent spoilage but also help protect the flavor.

To learn more about how Iowa farmers ensure food quality, safety and animal care, visit https://realfarmersrealfoodrealmeat.com/.