Smearcase

Smearcase is a better-for-you frozen dessert brand based in New York's Hudson Valley, best known for its flagship product line FroCo — a frozen cottage cheese ice cream that delivers high protein and reduced fat in a consumer-friendly pint format. The brand's name is rooted in American dairy history: "smearcase" was the 19th-century American term derived from the German word schmierkäse, meaning cottage cheese, a nod to the ingredient that powers every pint. Smearcase positions itself squarely in the high-protein, clean-label segment of the frozen novelty and ice cream category, targeting health-conscious consumers who want indulgent flavors without artificial ingredients, seed oils, or excess fat. Each pint of FroCo delivers 40 or more grams of protein — achieved through a base of real cottage cheese boosted with collagen — while containing approximately half the fat of conventional ice cream. The product line currently includes four SKUs: Vanilla Bean, Peanut Butter, Strawberry, and Mocha Joe. Vanilla Bean is crafted with real vanilla bean for a nostalgic scoop-shop flavor and packs 42g of protein per pint. Peanut Butter FroCo, at 44g of protein per pint, claims the highest protein content of any pint-format ice cream on the market and is made with real creamy peanut butter and no seed oils. Strawberry FroCo uses real fresh-cut strawberries with no artificial flavors or food dye, delivering 40g of protein per pint. Mocha Joe combines real espresso extract with premium dark chocolate chunks for 43g of protein per pint, again with no artificial ingredients. The brand's clean-label commitment is consistent across all varieties: no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no seed oils, and no artificial sweeteners or fillers. FroCo is manufactured in the Hudson Valley region of New York and is currently distributed at retail through Sprouts Farmers Market, available in more than 400 store locations across more than 25 states nationwide. This broad retail footprint indicates a growing presence in the natural and specialty grocery channel, a segment that aligns well with the brand's protein-forward, ingredient-conscious positioning. Smearcase competes in the rapidly expanding functional frozen dessert space alongside cottage cheese-based and high-protein ice cream brands, differentiating itself through its dual protein sourcing — cottage cheese plus collagen — and its emphasis on real, recognizable ingredients. The brand appeals to fitness-oriented consumers, high-protein diet followers, and mainstream shoppers seeking better-for-you indulgence.