Woodlands Dairy

Woodlands Dairy, the first in South Africa to introduce tethered caps on their First Choice ESL milk cartons, claimed top honours at the prestigious Gold Pack Awards held at Vodaworld in Midrand. This innovative achievement was made possible through their strategic partnership with DLPG and Svalinn.

Says Marisa Maccaferri, Marketing Executive for Woodlands Dairy and First Choice: “This award solidifies Woodlands Dairy’s position as an industry leader in sustainability, innovation, and consumer-focused solutions. It underscores our commitment to sustainability and motivates us to continue pushing boundaries, striving to exceed our environmental goals for a brighter, greener future.”

Leashni Kissoon, Key Account Manager at Liquid Cartons of Diversified Liquid Packaging Group (DLPG), highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving this milestone: “The Gold Pack Award for Woodlands Dairy’s First Choice ESL milk cartons is a proud milestone for DLPG and Svalinn. It celebrates our shared dedication to sustainable innovation and strengthens our partnership with Woodlands Dairy. This collaboration highlights the transformative impact of solutions like the CueCap Eco+ and showcases Woodlands Dairy’s leadership in the industry. Sustainability, innovation, and partnerships are at the heart of our DNA.”

Tethered caps, now mandated by EU regulations, represent a forward-thinking solution to enhance cap collection and recycling, addressing a critical aspect of waste management. Made from 100% renewable materials, these caps remain attached to cartons, reducing the risk of litter, simplifying recycling, and minimising plastic waste. This innovative design not only promotes a circular economy but also significantly lowers the environmental footprint of Woodlands Dairy’s packaging, setting new sustainability benchmarks in the dairy industry.

Maccaferri explains that implementing the tethered caps involved overcoming technical challenges to ensure compatibility with existing equipment. “From concept to execution, we worked closely with DLPG and Svalinn to successfully integrate the CueCap Eco+ into our production processes. The caps underwent rigorous testing to meet safety and convenience standards while maintaining our environmental focus.”

The collaboration highlights DLPG and Svalinn’s vision to bring world-class sustainable innovations to South Africa. Kissoon adds: “By integrating CueCap Eco+ into eco-friendly gable top cartons, we’re not only enhancing consumer convenience but also elevating the eco-friendly profile of this packaging. Our partnership with Woodlands Dairy aligns perfectly with our goal to advance sustainable packaging solutions that reduce waste and improve recycling efficiency.”

Maccaferri credits DLPG’s dedication to sustainability: “Their partnership with Svalinn allowed us to access eco-friendly packaging that meets our sustainability goals without compromising on quality. This collaboration has been key to delivering a product that aligns with our environmental objectives while ensuring consumer satisfaction.”

Building on the success of the tethered caps, Woodlands Dairy and First Choice remain focused on further reducing environmental impact and enhancing consumer convenience. “We plan to expand the use of renewable materials and continue advancing our sustainability efforts. Collaboration is key, and we’re forging partnerships to bring innovative, eco-friendly solutions to market. Through these efforts, we aspire to set an industry example, promoting the adoption of packaging solutions that prioritise both the planet and the consumer,” Maccaferri concludes.

Woodlands Dairy, creators of the award-winning First Choice High Protein Recovery (HPR), is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Springbok and Stormers rugby player Manie Libbok from the Eastern Cape.

High-Protein Recovery is scientifically formulated to facilitate rapid muscle recovery for both elite and amateur athletes following intense workouts or competition. Extended exercise depletes energy stores, leading to fatigue and decreased performance. To counteract this, it is important to consume a snack or beverage that provides protein to aid muscle recovery, carbohydrates to replenish energy stores, and help combat fatigue. Research indicates that consuming a drink such as HPR after exercise can assist in fluid retention, glycogen replenishment, and muscle recovery. Milk protein contains whey and casein, both aiding muscle repair but in different time frames—whey acts quickly, while casein acts more slowly.

Says Libbok, “Being a professional rugby player, I’ve always been passionate about optimising performance and recovery. When I discovered First Choice HPR and learned about its high-quality ingredients and proven benefits, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to represent a product that aligns so closely with my values and goals as an athlete.”

HPR offers a convenient and effective way to support muscle recovery after intense training sessions or matches. Libbok adds that it holds true particularly for rugby players. “There have been numerous occasions where I relied on HPR to recover quickly between training sessions or matches. Whether it’s a challenging practice session or a physically demanding game, HPR has consistently been my choice to replenish my body’s protein stores and support optimal recovery, enabling me to come back stronger for the next challenge.”

He takes pride in his association with the brand. “I grew up in Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape where Woodlands Dairy is based. They feel like family and do excellent work in our community. I look forward to authentically incorporating the product into my daily routine and sharing my genuine experiences with it through various channels, including social media, interviews, and personal appearances. By showcasing how HPR supports my training and performance goals, I hope to inspire others to discover its benefits for themselves. It reflects my commitment to excellence and empowers others to elevate their fitness and recovery,” he adds.

His message to fans and fellow athletes is straightforward yet crucial: proper recovery is essential for achieving peak performance and long-term success in sports. “By integrating HPR into their recovery routine, athletes can enhance their performance, reduce the risk of injury, and stay at the top of their game.”

Marisa Maccaferri, Marketing Executive for Woodlands Dairy and First Choice, emphasises that as a business and a brand, they are always seeking relevant collaboration opportunities. “We aim to partner with exceptional, locally grown talent from the Eastern Cape and the fact that Manie is from Humansdorp make him a perfect fit for us. Just like HPR, he is a successful with a bright and promising future, and we are proud of our partnership. South Africans are passionate about sports and invest considerable time and resources in their favourite disciplines. Our product has proven itself as a gamechanger. It’s ready to drink, affordable and safe for consumption by individuals of all ages. Over the past few years, we have supported professional and amateur athletes in achieving their fitness goals and excelling in their performance. Often, the difference between good and great lies in what you fuel your body with. Both he and our brand will benefit and grow through this collaboration.”

HPR boasts over twice the protein content of regular milk and is fortified with eight additional B vitamins. It is rich in calcium, energy, and free from Tartrazine. HPR comes ready to drink—no powders or mixing required—using only high-quality ingredients, notably locally sourced milk from predominantly pasture-fed cows.

With a selection of five flavours available, including Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana CreÌme, Strawberry Vanilla, and Chocolate Mint, High Protein Recovery can be purchased at selected Dischem stores nationwide, as well as online at www.shopfirstchoice.co.za or https://recoverymilk.co.za/.

Woodlands Dairy leads in sustainability, and HPR provides the added benefit and peace of mind knowing that the packaging is partially made from plant-based materials like sugarcane and board sourced from sustainably managed forests, making it 100% recyclable.

Woodlands Dairy triumphed at this year’s Bloem Show Cheese Awards, the only show in South Africa where a dairy product competition is still presented. With diverse categories including butter, gouda cheese, cheddar cheese, continental cheese, specialty cheese, and exotic cheese, along with a wide array of milk and goat milk products, the company secured thirteen awards for their First Choice products and those of clients.

The company’s own brand, First Choice, earned awards for its Amazi, Baby Gouda, UHT Low Fat Milk, UHT Pouring Cream, and Velvet Dairy Desert (Butterscotch).

Award-winning products produced specifically for Spar include Butter Spread, Rindless Gouda, Rindless Cheddar, Matured Cheddar Gouda Processed Cheese Slices, and Vanilla Custard. Woolworths walked away with top honours for their UHT Full Cream Milk and UHT Whipping Cream, manufactured by Woodlands Dairy.

Furthermore, Woodlands Dairy was honoured with the CRYOVAC Rindless Cheddar Floating Trophy for their Spar Rindless Cheddar (86.7%) and the Stein Bros Gouda Floating Trophy for their Spar Rindless Gouda (91%). These prestigious awards recognise Woodlands Dairy as the top cheesemaker in both categories.

Marisa Maccaferri, Marketing Executive for Woodlands Dairy and First Choice, comments, “We’re once again honoured and delighted by our performance at this year’s awards. This continued recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and the hard work of our dedicated teams. Each day, they bring unparalleled expertise and passion to their roles, driving our ability to innovate across our product lines. This accolade is not just about our achievements; it’s about our consistent growth and the high standards we maintain in every endeavour. We are deeply proud of these accomplishments and the recognition they bring to our diverse and talented staff.”

Woodlands Dairy, a prominent advocate for sustainability, has eagerly responded to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment’s appeal, by pledging to plant an additional 350 trees in celebration of Arbour Week, observed earlier this month.

Arbour Day was first introduced to South Africa in 1982. South Africans loved the concept so much that what initially began as a solitary Arbour Day has now flourished into an all-encompassing Arbour Week, commemorated during the first week of September annually.

André Adendorff, Sustainability Manager at Woodlands Dairy, says, “By the close of 2019, we had successfully introduced approximately 100 Cape Ash trees alongside the western boundary of Woodlands Dairy. Our ongoing initiative involves planting an additional 200 trees along Felix Street, positioned on the landward side of the road in Humansdorp.

“As part of Arbour Week, our intention is to also establish around 150 Coral trees along the R330, stretching from the N2 entrance into Humansdorp, during the month of September,” he elaborates.

The planting of these trees will be a collaborative effort between Woodlands Dairy and the local municipality. “Community members will be employed to plant these trees which contribute to the overall objectives of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment and their objective of planting a million trees per year,” says Adendorff. He underscores that the primary purpose of tree planting is twofold: firstly, to enhance the verdant appeal of public spaces for the community’s benefit, and secondly, to restore natural areas following the removal of invasive species, thereby reestablishing habitats for various wildlife, including birds, amphibians, insects, and other creatures.

Adendorff further clarifies that the introduction of carbon tax by the national government in May 2013 served as a pivotal measure to curbing South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions. He notes, “This policy impelled Woodlands Dairy to invest in cleaner technologies and minimise emissions as much as possible. In addition to transitioning away from carbon-intensive energy sources, the process involved offsetting emissions through the implementation of carbon reduction initiatives. Opting to plant trees was a logical decision, as trees possess the capacity—through photosynthesis—to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. The first 100 trees were planted on the Woodlands premises by the close of 2019.”

Woodlands Dairy is deeply committed to adopting numerous sustainable practices with the aim of minimising their ecological impact. This encompasses the strategic utilisation of renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaics, biogas, and biomass for the generation of electricity and steam to power their operations. In elucidating this approach, Adendorff explains, “Our adoption of these energy sources is motivated by the desire to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels like coal-powered electricity and the usage of heavy furnace oil (HFO) for steam generation. This shift significantly diminishes our overall environmental footprint.”

Adendorff concludes by emphasising, “We make a concerted effort to extensively communicate all our initiatives, fostering community awareness and inspiring collective action. Our collaboration with Tetra Pak in our recycling endeavours underscores the incorporation of renewable materials, notably wooden packaging, highlighting the importance of renewable plant-based resources such as trees.”