ROSEMONT, ILL. — As General Mils developed a new snack that incorporated yogurt for its Nature Valley Granola brand, the dairy checkoff partnered with the corporation on a number of fronts. 

YoBark, a refrigerated snack that the checkoff viewed as a path to expanding yogurt’s presence in the snacking category, brings together creamy yogurt and crunchy granola in a stand-up pouch.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) shared that it began working with General Mills on the concept in 2021, with DMI contributing consumer insights on why tweens had decreased their yogurt consumption, as well as new product concept development, package design, and research and development support.

Noting the trend among 12- to 13-year-olds, DMI vice president of growth platforms and partnerships Chris Urban said the organization teamed with General Mills to co-fund research to develop product concepts that would appeal to the demographic.

“The lead concept that emerged from our collaboration was YoBark, which received the highest-ranking score in our concept evaluations,” Urban said.

The new yogurt snack launched at Albertson’s, Safeway and Walmart retail locations, and it will appear at more chains throughout the United States in the months ahead.

YoBark debuted in strawberry and honey vanilla flavors, and Urban said the snack appeals to parents looking for non-traditional options.

“Our strategy targets families,” he said. “Moms often act as gatekeepers for household purchases, but it’s crucial that the product also appeals to their tweens. We found that YoBark meets the health standards moms want while offering a fun, snackable form that tweens enjoy. It’s also designed to be shareable, tapping into tweens’ social interactions.”