Smearcase Wins Top Honors at the Real California Milk Excelerator, Taking Home $30,000 to Expand Cottage Cheese Ice Cream with California Dairy
New York, NY 11/19/24 – Smearcase, the New York-based brand making waves with the first-ever protein-packed frozen cottage cheese, has been named a Finalist at the prestigious Real California Milk Excelerator Pitch Event. Smearcase will receive a $30,000 prize, which will support the company in expanding its production, distribution, and marketing efforts in California, leveraging the iconic Real California Milk Seal on its pints.
"We’re honored to be recognized by the California Milk Advisory Board and VentureFuel for pushing boundaries in the dairy category," said Joe Rotondo, Founder of Smearcase. "With this support, we’re excited to bring our high-protein, low-fat dessert—crafted with real California dairy—to the growing community of health-conscious dessert fans in California. This prize fuels our vision of making cottage cheese cool again, blending nostalgia with modern taste and nutrition to redefine indulgence.”
The Real California Milk Excelerator, hosted by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) in partnership with VentureFuel, is a leading innovation competition for dairy-based products. As the 2024 Grand Prize winner, Smearcase will expand its presence in California with the help of CMAB’s marketing support and resources, connecting with a network of processors, distributors, and retailers in the state.
Smearcase’s “FroCo”, featuring 40 grams of protein per pint, is made for health-conscious consumers who crave creamy, indulgent flavors without the guilt. From classic Vanilla Bean to bold Mocha Joe, each pint balances Smearcase’s high-protein promise with taste-forward ingredients. With the Real California Milk seal, Smearcase can now proudly showcase its commitment to using quality California dairy, a standard that aligns with its mission to bring superior, wholesome ingredients to a new generation of consumers.
“Smearcase is transforming the dairy dessert landscape, and we’re excited to see our groundbreaking product make its way to the California market,” said Drew DiSpirito. “Our frozen cottage cheese delivers an exceptional blend of flavor, protein, and nutritional benefits that’s sure to connect with California’s health-conscious consumers.”
For more information on Smearcase, visit www.eatsmearcase.com and follow @eatsmearcase on Instagram. To learn more about the Real California Milk Excelerator, visit http://realcamilkexcelerator.com
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About Smearcase
Smearcase is a NYC-based brand shaking up the frozen dessert aisle with the first-ever protein-packed, collagen-boosted cottage cheese ice cream. With 40 grams of protein per pint, Smearcase is crafted for health-conscious snackers who crave indulgent, creamy flavors without the guilt. Founded on the mission to make cottage cheese crave-worthy for a new generation, Smearcase is more than dessert—it’s your new protein dealer. Discover more at [eatsmearcase.com](http://www.eatsmearcase.com).
About the California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visitRealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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Press Contact
Case
Brand Manager
brand@eatsmearcase.com
Smearcase Company