Alisa Fleming ~ Hain Celestial may not have been the first to market with almond milk, but they are leading the pack with other almond-based dairy alternatives. Thanks to the success of their recently released Almond Dream ice cream, Hain Celestial is set to launch a new almond milk-based yogurt.

Hain Celestial president Irwin Simon sees a "big growth opportunity" for dairy-free products (woohoo!). While speaking at the Barclays Back to School Consumer conference in Boston last week, Simon proclaimed their Almond Dream frozen desserts to be a "big winner," and said that their dairy-free Coconut Dream line was also a runaway success.

The new almond milk-based yogurt will fall under the Almond Dream brand, and will be marketed to those who are lactose intolerant, seeking non-dairy options, or looking to consume less dairy. Simon said that they will launch the new yogurt "very shortly," and to expect more non-dairy alternatives in the almond, rice, and coconut categories in the near future.

Can't wait for the Almond Dream yogurt to arrive? Try one of these recipes from Lexie's Kitchen: Dairy-Free Almond & Hemp Yogurt (pictured above) or Almond Milk Yogurt (viewable after 9/15/11).