Doris Erne has a big goal: “I want whey to be recognized as a high-quality source of protein in Switzerland, too.” The idea came from a personal need. Erne, who is actively involved in CrossFit, says: "There are many protein drinks on the market, but no product that I trusted." She also wanted to contribute to sustainable food production and do something to ensure that more whey is used for human consumption instead of being fed to animals or going into the biogas plant.
"Jomo-Shake" didn't get going
In 2018 she founded the start-up company Wood & Field - at that time with a partner, from whom she has since separated. Their first product made from whey was called "Jomo-Shake" in the two varieties "Voll Mocca" and "Voll Beeri". The food engineer recalls that the start was tough: "We just couldn't really gain a foothold with our product."
The sales volumes were too low for their production partner at the time, Milchhof AG. Production stopped in the summer of 2019. "I had to admit that the time was probably not yet ripe for this," says Erne. That was a low point, especially since she had already invested a lot of energy and money in her company by then.
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It should work on the second try
But the idea with the whey shakes Doris Erne didn't want to let go completely. From her environment, from industry and at events, she received a lot of encouragement to continue. An acquaintance finally put her in contact with the Schwyzer Milchhuus.
They were convinced of the product's potential right from the start. Martin Herzig from Schwyzer Milchhuus says: "The concept and recipe are an excellent match for our production options." In addition to the product, the approach to reducing food waste is also very interesting. “That fits in with our sustainability strategy.”
Full of energy, Erne and her team, which includes her life partner Christian Studer, got to work. A new design was created, the "Jomo-Shake" became the "Whey-Shake", a lactose-free organic whey-protein drink with a refreshing taste of yoghurt.
Available in selected branches
Since the beginning of April, the whey shake has been available in mango and berry varieties in 13 Alnatura organic supermarkets, in Selecta-Foodie's micromarkets and in local shops in the Rapperswil-Jona SG region.
"We are very lucky that the Schwyzer Milchhuus sells its organic cheese in Alnatura shops," says Doris Erne. In addition, those responsible at Alnatura are very committed to providing a platform for the whey produced during the production of this cheese. “That made it easier for us to get the listing.”
For Wood & Field, this is extremely fortunate and enables slow and hopefully steady growth. She hopes that at some point she will get onto the Migros shelves with her whey shakes. “That would be the big breakthrough for our whey shake.”
New project with whey protein powder
When asked about the vision she has for her product, Doris Erne says: "I wish people would recognize how wonderful whey is and how fantastic it can taste." The skepticism is still very great. With her whey shake, she wants to offer an alternative to imported protein drinks "with a Swiss quality product, the raw material of which would be available in large quantities anyway".
And Erne is already working on a new project. She is conducting a study on the production of a new type of whey protein powder with the Bern University of Applied Sciences HAFL. Whey is a topic that the 39-year-old will definitely not let go of.
