California Ag Network

Tag: Dairy Council of California

  • Dairy Council Of California Releases Annual Report

    This year’s Annual Report reflects a transformative period for Dairy Council of CA — one defined by innovation, strategic focus and forward-thinking leadership. The report highlights progress in supporting nutrition security through education, collaboration and science-based advocacy, while strengthening partnerships that elevate the health of communities across California.

    Through engagement with leaders in education, health, agriculture and the dairy community, Dairy Council of CA continues to champion the importance of nutrition education and sustainable food systems in improving public health. The report showcases measurable impact, including reaching 1.7 million children and families, expanding professional trainings and contributing to national and international dialogue on dairy’s role in health and sustainability.

    You are invited to explore this year’s outcome-based report to see how our collective efforts are driving healthier behaviors, stronger partnerships and lasting impact across the state. Read it HERE.

  • CA Beef Council’s Registered Dietitian Recognized for Leadership in Nutrition Ed

    The California Beef Council is proud to celebrate registered dietitian Kori Dover, director of food and nutrition outreach, for receiving the Let’s Eat Healthy Leadership Award from Dairy Council of California. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who are making a significant impact in nutrition education and increasing access to nutritious foods, including dairy, to support healthier communities.

    Dover has been a driving force in educating health professionals, school nutrition leaders and chefs about the importance of healthy eating patterns that include beef and dairy. Through her role at California Beef Council, she has fostered collaboration between the beef and dairy industries, working to ensure evidence-based nutrition education reaches key decision-makers in school foodservice and dietetics.

    A Champion for Nutrition Education

    Since joining the California Beef Council, Dover has spearheaded professional education initiatives designed to bridge the gap between nutrition science and practical application. She has worked alongside Dairy Council of California to provide training sessions for dietetic interns, bringing together experts from both the beef and dairy industries to discuss sustainability, nutrition and the role of animal-sourced foods in healthy eating patterns.

    Outreach efforts extend to school nutrition professionals, helping them integrate science-backed nutrition strategies into school meal programs. In collaboration with Dairy Council of California, Dover helped co-create educational events, reinforcing the connection between dairy and beef in sustainable food systems.

    “Kori’s dedication to nutrition education has expanded access to science-based resources for health professionals and educators,” said Bill Dale, executive director at the California Beef Council. “Her collaboration with the Dairy Council of California has helped elevate the conversation around beef and dairy’s nutritional value. We are thrilled to see her recognized with this well-deserved award.”

    Strengthening the Connection Between Beef and Dairy

    Dover’s work highlights the natural synergy between beef and dairy production. Dairy cattle contribute significantly to the beef supply, and her approach to nutrition education reflects this connection. She has helped develop training programs that promote healthy eating patterns, incorporating beef, dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. By championing science-based nutrition education, Dover has reinforced the role of beef and dairy in balanced diets, reaching key decision-makers in schools, hospitals and foodservice programs.

    A Well-Deserved Honor

    The Let’s Eat Healthy Leadership Award recognizes leaders who empower children, families and communities with the knowledge and resources to build lifelong healthy eating patterns.

    Dover’s recognition emphasizes the value of collaboration in advancing sustainable nutrition education.

    Her leadership at the California Beef Council ensures that beef remains central to conversations around nutrition, while also strengthening the connection between beef and dairy industries in California. Through her work, she continues to educate the next generation of nutrition professionals and industry stakeholders.

    For more information on the California Beef Council’s education and outreach efforts, visit www.calbeef.org.

    About the California Beef Council

    The California Beef Council (CBC) was established in 1954 to serve as the promotion, research, and education arm of the California beef industry, and is mandated by the California Food and Agricultural Code. The CBC’s mission is to position the California beef industry for sustained beef demand growth through promotion, research and education. For more information, visit www.calbeef.org.

    About the Beef Checkoff

    The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

  • Dairy Council of California Board Welcomes Vanderpoel, Fernandes & Reynoso

    Dairy Council of California, a leader in nutrition education and advocacy, proudly announces three new board members, all distinguished figures in the dairy industry:

    John Vanderpoel Jr., Owner, VP Legacy Farms

    Preston Fernandes, Owner/Partner, Fernridge Farms

    Rene Reynoso, President & CEO, Peluso Cheese

    Fernandes states, “Alongside my fellow new board members, I’m thrilled to join the Dairy Council of California as we work to elevate the role of dairy in nourishing our communities. Dairy is not just a staple in healthy, balanced diets—it’s a source of essential nutrients that fuel growth and wellness across all ages. I’m excited to be part of an organization that’s dedicated to advancing nutrition education and advocating for the critical benefits dairy provides in creating healthier, more sustainable futures.”

    Dairy Council of California’s new board members are deeply connected with the dairy community, bringing forward fresh perspectives and strategic insights to both challenges and emerging opportunities.

    “We are pleased to welcome John, Preston and Rene to Dairy Council of California’s board of directors,” says Amy DeLisio, CEO of Dairy Council of California. “Their diverse backgrounds bring invaluable expertise to our organization’s ability to continue to promote healthy eating patterns and sustainable food systems that include dairy foods.”

    In addition to the three new board members, four board members were reappointed:

    Arlene VanderEyk, Co-owner, Robert VanderEyk Dairy

    Michael Oosten, Owner, Marvo Holsteins

    John Dolan, VP of Sales, Driftwood Dairy

    Hem Shah, General Manager, Alta Dena Dairy

    Board members are elected for three-year terms, represent both dairy producers and processors and are appointed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

    About Dairy Council of California
    Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education, advocacy, dairy agricultural literacy and collaboration, Dairy Council of California advances the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems. Learn more at DairyCouncilofCA.org.

  • NorCal Dairy Tour Provides Beef/Dairy Nutrition and Sustainability Insights

    If you think school lunch begins in the cafeteria, you’d be mistaken. It starts back at its nutritional roots…on the farm. Recently, the California Beef Council (CBC), in partnership with the Dairy Council of California, took 55 future healthcare professionals, students, educators, and school nutrition professionals to DeSnayer Dairy in Lodi, California to learn about and see firsthand the critical role dairy farms play in sustainable agriculture and supporting school nutrition programs.

    “We chose DeSnayer Dairy Farm for this tour because they operate sustainably, with practices that optimize resource use and reduce environmental impact,” said Kori Dover, the CBC’s Director of Food & Nutrition Outreach. “Attendees were able to engage with firsthand experiences and demonstrations that showcased the interconnectedness of food production, consumption, and sustainability.”

    Participants gained insights into the lifecycle of dairy production from feed management to milking, and learned how the dairy industry contributes to the beef supply chain. Most importantly, the group gained a deeper understanding of how these two agricultural sectors-beef and dairy-contribute to providing nutritious food options for school programs and consumers.

    “Tours like this help foster an open dialogue about production practices,” Dover said. “They go a long way toward dispelling myths, clarifying common misconceptions, and building trust. Our goal with events like these is to develop and nurture strong connections between agricultural sectors and educational entities.”

    So, how are these two agricultural sectors connected? Beef and dairy-both top agricultural commodities in California-are nutrient-dense foods that provide high-quality protein and other essential nutrients necessary at all stages of life. In addition, dairy cattle are a significant part of the U.S. beef supply, contributing between 18% and 24% to the total U.S. beef supply since 2002. This contribution equates to a larger amount of choice and prime cuts for consumers.

    “Open dialogue about dairy and beef cattle farming and production practices goes a long way toward building trust between our beef and dairy producers, and educational stakeholders,” Dover said. “It’s an important partnership with significant benefits for all concerned.”

    For more information about food and nutrition outreach programs, contact Kori Dover at kori@calbeef.org. For more information on the CBC, visit calbeef.org.

    About the California Beef Council

    The California Beef Council (CBC) was established in 1954 to serve as the promotion, research, and education arm of the California beef industry, and is mandated by the California Food and Agricultural Code. The CBC’s mission is to amplify the voice of the California beef industry to strengthen beef demand through innovative promotions, research, and open communication. For more information, visit calbeef.org.

    About the Beef Checkoff

    The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

    About the Dairy Council of California

    Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization overseen by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Funded by California’s dairy farm families and milk processors, we are the dairy community’s philanthropic contribution to community health, positively impacting countless lives advancing milk and dairy’s unique and essential contributions to healthy, sustainable eating patterns.

    Dairy Council of California also works to secure grant funding for community nutrition projects. We value collaboration and partner with organizations with shared values to extend our collective impact through collaboration and co-creation. For more information, visit dairycouncilofca.org.

  • Dairy Council Announces 2024 Let’s Eat Healthy Award Winners

    Dairy Council of California, a leader in nutrition education and advocacy, is proud to announce the winners of its fifth annual Let’s Eat Healthy Award. In support of its cause to elevate the health of children and communities through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating patterns, the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative is honoring seven California nutrition champions. The award recognition program is a highlight of the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative, which brings together educators, health professionals and community leaders to coordinate, collaborate and co-create opportunities for community health.

    “The Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative exemplifies the essential collaboration required to bolster the health of children, families and communities. This year’s leadership award winners are champions making a profound impact by enhancing nutrition education, promoting access to nutritious foods and engaging in farm-to-school initiatives that educate on the vital contributions the California dairy community provides in supplying nutritious, local and sustainable foods,” stated California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

    The 2024 Let’s Eat Healthy Leadership Award winners are:

    • Elk Grove Unified School District Food and Nutrition Services, Elk Grove
    • University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine Early Life Nutrition Research Team: Assistant Professor Dr. Karen Lindsay, Pediatrician Dr. Candice Taylor Lucas and medical student Helen Leka
    • Patrick Kelly, Key Account Manager for School and Food Service, Shehadey Enterprise Solutions
    • Nadine Braunstein, Associate Professor and Dietetic Internship Director, California State University, Sacramento
    • Devinder Kumar, Senior Director of Student Health and Wellness, Wonderful College Prep Academy, Delano
    • Kirsten Criswell, Coordinator, Santa Barbara County School Wellness Council, Santa Barbara
    • Vanessa Mendez, School Counselor, Edison Elementary, San Diego

    Let’s Eat Healthy Legacy Award, In Memory of;

    • Robert Schram, Retired School Food Service Director, Lifetime Member of the California School Nutrition Association

    “We take immense pride in celebrating the recipients of this year’s Let’s Eat Healthy Awards. The impactful efforts of these winners contribute significantly to enhancing nutrition education and promoting access to healthy food across California. Their work creates a positive impact on individuals and communities that will last for years to come,” remarked Amy DeLisio, CEO, Dairy Council of California. “We extend our sincere congratulations to the 2024 Let’s Eat Healthy Award winners and look forward to our continued partnership.”

    To learn more about this year’s Let’s Eat Healthy Award winners, the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative or how to access free nutrition programs and resources, visit HealthyEating.org and watch the video presentation HERE.

    About Dairy Council of California 
    Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education, advocacy, dairy agricultural literacy and collaboration, Dairy Council of California advances the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems. Learn more at DairyCouncilofCA.org.

    About the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative 
    Launched by Dairy Council of California, Let’s Eat Healthy is an initiative that brings together community leaders and stakeholders with expertise in education, school foodservice, public health, health care and agriculture, inviting these change-makers to elevate the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Through coordination and collaboration, Let’s Eat Healthy strives to provide sustainable solutions to champion community health and make healthy, wholesome foods accessible to all. The Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative is driven to provide dynamic educational resources and tools, peer networking, amplification of best practices and the latest in nutrition information, uniting individuals and organizations through shared values. Join the initiative and make a difference at HealthyEating.org.

  • Dairy Council of California Awards over $45,000 in Let’s Eat Healthy Grants

    Dairy Council of California, a leader in nutrition education and advocacy, has awarded over $45,000 in community grants to assist California schools and community-based organizations with innovative and sustainable solutions to foster healthy eating and meet local needs.

    Grants advance Dairy Council of California’s Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative, engaging nutrition champions to support equitable access to science-based nutrition education. Funds also support food and agricultural literacy and help make healthy, wholesome foods, including milk and dairy foods, more accessible for local California communities. Awardees include:

    My Healthy Reader, Riverside County
    “I have been a long-time fan of both the Dairy Council and Let’s Eat Healthy, utilizing their online resources to help educate families and young children on the benefits of good nutrition. Being a grant recipient is an exciting honor that provides support and opportunity to expand program efforts. This grant will allow us to continue to impact families in the Inland Empire, by providing knowledge and resources that assist in learning how to make healthy food and dairy choices,” says My Healthy Reader CEO Yvonne Roberson Choyce.

    Griffiths Middle School, Downey Unified School District, Los Angeles County  
    “The Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grant provides our students with the essential knowledge and tools for a healthier future. This grant opens doors to nutrition education and wellness initiatives that will lead our students on a path of lifelong well-being,” culinary teacher Kim Silverman states.

    Centennial Farm, Orange County
    “The Orange County Fair and Event Center’s Centennial Farm is excited to have been selected as a recipient of the Dairy Council’s Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grant. Funds will be used to further enhance the importance of dairy and nutrition through activities with our existing educational programs and the impact of the grant funds will benefit students for years to come,” states Evy Young, director of agriculture programs at Centennial Farm.

    Ladera Ranch Middle School, Capistrano Unified School District, Orange County  
    “The Let’s Eat Healthy grant will significantly impact culinary classes. The classroom is over two decades old. With this funding, we now have the means to procure new equipment that has worn out. These enhancements will enrich our food labs, which integrate nutrition education and experimentation with different techniques and ingredients, notably emphasizing yeast dough making, homemade butter, milk cultures for cheese, and more,” says culinary teacher Carrie Gray.

    Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, Youth Services Program, Solano County  
    According to Amahirani Reyes, youth services program manager for Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, “CHOC sincerely appreciates the generous support extended by the Dairy Council of California in establishing this valuable partnership. Their support is positioned to significantly enhance youth nutrition education within our affordable housing communities, leaving a positive and lasting impact.”

    Dairy Council of California CEO Amy DeLisio explains the further impact of the grants: “The Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grants are another powerful tool for organizations to continue to provide access and opportunities where children, families and communities can build positive connections between nutrition, agriculture and lifelong healthy eating. These grants, and the valuable work of the awardees, will make a difference in the lives of those who need it most for years to come.”

    About Dairy Council of California
    Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education, advocacy, dairy agricultural literacy and collaboration, Dairy Council of California advances the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems. Learn more at DairyCouncilofCA.org.

    About the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative
    Launched by Dairy Council of California, Let’s Eat Healthy is an initiative that brings together community leaders and stakeholders with expertise in education, school foodservice, public health, health care and agriculture, inviting these change-makers to elevate the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Through coordination and collaboration, Let’s Eat Healthy strives to provide sustainable solutions to champion community health and make healthy, wholesome foods accessible to all. The Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative is driven to provide dynamic educational resources and tools, peer networking, amplification of best practices and the latest in nutrition information, uniting individuals and organizations through shared values. Join the initiative and make a difference at HealthyEating.org.

  • Dairy Council of California Announces Appointment of Four New Board Members

    Dairy Council of California, a leader in nutrition education and advocacy, proudly announces four new board members, all distinguished figures in the dairy industry:

    Laura Bosch: Co-Owner of Bosch Dairy Farms

    Justin Leyendekker: Owner of Hoppy Cows Dairy

    Michael Oosten: Owner of Marvo Holsteins

    Pauline Tjaarda: Co-Owner of Tjaarda Dairy

    Leyendekker states, “Alongside my fellow new board members, I’m excited to join the Dairy Council of California and be a part of a great team working to educate California about the nutritious properties of dairy milk.”

    All of Dairy Council of California’s new board members have familial connections to the dairy community that span generations. Their experience provides unique and valuable insight into challenges and opportunities.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Laura Bosch, Justin Leyendekker, Michael Oosten and Pauline Tjaarda to Dairy Council of California’s board of directors,” says Amy DeLisio, CEO of Dairy Council of California. “Their diverse backgrounds and deep-rooted commitment to the dairy community will enrich our organization’s ability to continue to promote healthy eating patterns and sustainable food systems that include dairy foods.”

    The addition of the four new board members brings the total number to a full board of 24, with 12 producers and 12 processors representing both sides of the dairy industry. In addition to the four new board members, there were also four board reappointments representing dairy processors:

    Stacy Heaton: Director of Communications for California Dairies Inc.

    Dennis Roberts: CEO and President of Crystal Creamery

    Patrick Schallberger: CEO of Hollandia Dairy

    Richard Shehadey: Chairman of the Board for Producers Dairy

    Board members are elected for three-year terms and are approved by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

    About Dairy Council of California

    Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education, advocacy, dairy agricultural literacy and collaboration, Dairy Council of California advances the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems. Learn more at DairyCouncilofCA.org.

  • Dairy Council of California Celebrates a Century-Long Legacy of Elevating Health

    Message from Tammy Anderson-Wise, CEO, Dairy Council of California — The 2019–2020 fiscal year has been one of the most rewarding, unexpected and challenging years for Dairy Council of California. We started by celebrating 100 years of empowering stakeholders and educating children and families. We enjoyed many successes in the first three quarters of the year, working toward innovating the programs, resources and work we do in schools and communities throughout California, as well as ramping up to launch a new movement. Then, in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses and schools to close and families to shelter in place, impacting everyone and creating change overnight. With many challenges to overcome, we also found new opportunities. 

    Tammy Anderson-Wise, CEO, Dairy Council of California

    Despite having to move to remote work environments, Dairy Council of California staff quickly coordinated efforts and achieved impressive results. Some of these successes include expediting online access to existing educational resources and creating a webpage devoted to support educators; designing a dedicated landing page as a hub for students, parents, educators and the school community seeking free school meal sites; and innovating our popular Mobile Dairy Classroom assemblies as virtual farm tours to support ag literacy in California and beyond. Behind the scenes work by staff builds on our rich legacy of empowering children and families to make nutritious foods, including milk and dairy, a part of their daily lives.

    As the pandemic continues to disrupt lives, our country is also going through a period of civil unrest, which exacerbates existing mental, emotional, physical and financial health issues already felt by many families and communities. Along with our partners in health, education and foodservice, we understand disparities exist and that our most vulnerable populations—children, families, socioeconomically disadvantaged communities and communities of color—are more adversely impacted by the uncertain and unprecedented challenges we face. This is why all of us at Dairy Council of California are committed to listening, learning more and doing our part to help reduce and eliminate disparities that exist in the areas of nutrition education, food insecurity and food access to improve the health and health outcomes of all children, families and communities.

    Enclosed in this report is a summary of our successes and challenges in this past year. Dairy Council of California’s long-standing legacy of supporting community health through nutrition remains unwavering, and I am honored to lead the organization forward on behalf of California dairy farmers and processors. By leaning on our rich history and expertise as we embark on a new century, we can continue to innovate and expand our education outreach with new opportunities to elevate the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits, which include milk and dairy foods.

    On behalf of all of us at Dairy Council of California, thank you for your ongoing support.

  • CA DAIRY INDUSTRY UNITES TO TEACH AG LITERACY TO SUPPORT DISTANCE LEARNING

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has partnered with Dairy Council of California to teach ag literacy in an exciting and innovative way that brings the farm experience to students as they learn from home. The Farm to You Virtual Field Trip connects the successful Dairy Council of California Mobile Dairy Classroom assembly experience with a virtual trip to a California dairy farm, providing students with daily online lessons available now through June 5th. Educators, students and their families can find more information and sign-up for a session at HealthyEating.org/Virtual-Field-Trip.

    Free to participants, the Farm to You Virtual Field Trip consists of a 45-minute Mobile Dairy Classroom lesson and “live” visit to a California dairy farm. Aimed at increasing ag literacy, the sessions teach attendees the importance of healthy eating patterns as well as where their food comes from, including a tour to teach them how a dairy farm operates, how milk and dairy products are produced, and the nutritional value of these products. Two sessions are held each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, from Tuesday through Friday and feature a rotating team of five farmers from Sonoma to Tulare counties.

    “Farm to You is a tremendous way for children to learn about the science of agriculture while also learning where their food comes from directly from the farmers,” said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications at the CMAB. “For our farming community, this is a tremendous opportunity to connect directly with consumers across the state.”

    “We are proud to help educate students, families and the entire school community the importance of ag literacy and provide them with an experiential connection to where their food comes from,” said Shannan Young, Director of Food Access at Dairy Council of California. “We can encourage healthier students, families and communities by teaching them more about our food system, how to eat healthfully, and the important role of milk and dairy foods for growth and development as part of daily healthy eating patterns.”

    California is the number one dairy state and has a 200-year heritage of multi-generational dairy farming. The state’s 1200 dairy farm families lead the nation in sustainable farming practices.

    About Real California Milk/the California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy families and is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB is celebrating 50 years promoting California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.


    About Dairy Council of California
    For over 100 years, Dairy Council of California has empowered stakeholders, including educators, health professionals and community leaders, to elevate the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Funded by California’s dairy farm families and local milk processors and under the guidance of California Department of Food and Agriculture, Dairy Council of California’s free science-based nutrition education resources, Mobile Dairy Classroom assemblies, training programs and online resources educate millions of students and families in California and throughout the United States. Learn more at HealthyEating.org.

  • Dairy Council of California Update

    Positive Message from CEO Tammy Anderson-Wise (April 7) – Less than a month ago, we first saw headlines about COVID-19, and few if any of us could have anticipated the profound disruption it would have on our work, our personal lives and the industry. It is indisputable that what we are living through now has no modern parallel.

    But this is where we are. As with many of you, life at Dairy Council of California looks somewhat different. I am proud to share that the Dairy Council of California team has embraced the challenges presented in the current environment. We continue to elevate the health of children and families during this time of need by supporting knowledge of healthy eating, food access and distance learning through school closures.

    As previously shared, Dairy Council of California, in partnership with California Milk Processor Board and with the support of local organizations throughout California, is proud to continue to support the statewide effort to nourish children while schools are out with HealthyEating.org/SchoolMeals and HealthyEating.org/AlimentacionEscolar. These dedicated landing pages in English and Spanish comprehensively aggregate all meal program sites available in California. Since the statewide public awareness campaign launched three weeks ago, the landing pages have helped families by educating them on where to access school meals by supporting 124,798 site visits, which includes 104,162 unique views and roughly 32% of viewers seeking information in Spanish, emphasizing the value of this resource to California communities.

    To expand food access program support beyond children to include vulnerable families, Dairy Council of California is partnering with the California Association of Food Banks to identify local food banks that are providing families with free healthy foods. We anticipate having this information available on our site later this week and will work with our partner, California Milk Processor Board, to ensure families know where they can go to find the nearest food bank to their home.

    We developed and released the blog post “Nutrition and Immunity: The Role of Dairy Foods in Supporting a Healthy Immune System” to reaffirm dairy’s role in healthy eating patterns and in supporting a healthy immune system, a very relevant concern at this time. On a global front, Dairy Council of California provided expertise and support to the International Dairy Federation, informing the development of the 2020 Bulletin on School Milk Programs, titled The Contribution of School Milk Programmes to the Nutrition of Children Worldwide: Edition 2020, which is now available for download.

    With shelter-in-place orders, Mobile Dairy Classroom’s in-person assemblies have been suspended; however, this suspension has provided us with an opportunity to innovate and expand our services to reach students and families via a virtual assembly. We are proud to share that on Friday, April 3rd, we successfully launched our first virtual Mobile Dairy Classroom in partnership with Nepris, a free web-based solution that connects teachers with industry experts to make curriculum topics relevant for students every day. Adapted for a live audience and facilitated by Nepris, our Mobile Dairy Classroom was seen by 18,210 students in 669 classes across nine states. This equates to roughly 50 on-site school assemblies! We are working on securing a copy of the live recording, which we will share via our social channels and with all of you.

    We are continuing to explore new ways to provide educators, students and families with nutrition resources, such as expanding our portfolio of online and downloadable format resources that communicate the importance of healthy eating patterns and emphasize milk and dairy’s important role in supporting good health. These strategies appear to be highly valuable and so we plan to continue to expand our online portfolio of resources to meet the demand of our consumers.

    In addition to supporting school communities, health professionals and families across California, we are here to support you. As concerns around lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) continue to grow, we want to share information on companies that are providing PPE for COVID-19. If you are looking for supplies, here is a link with information on how to access PPE to help ensure everyone’s safety.

    If you have questions, concerns or would like to share updates on how your organization is responding to COVID-19, please contact me.

    Healthy regards,

    Tammy Anderson-Wise, CEO
    TammyA@DairyCouncilofCA.org