“Partnership is not a posture but a process—a continuous process that grows stronger each year as we devote ourselves to common tasks.” 
—John F. Kennedy

At Dairy Council of California, we work with many partners to improve the health of children and families through nutrition. Working together spreads the message of nutrition security and the value of milk and dairy foods in healthy eating patterns across the life span.

Our Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative activates champions through shared values and a cause of building healthier communities through nutrition. Our partnerships ensure:  

• Children and families can access nutrition education that is science based.
• Children and families can access healthy foods that include milk and dairy foods.
• Individuals are supported nutritionally across key life stages.
• Dairy is valued as a solution to optimal health.
• People’s individual needs and experiences contribute to healthy eating.

These next examples show how working together makes a big difference:

Healthy Eating TV Series: Los Angeles Unified School District’s Wellness Programs and PBS affiliate KLCS partnered with us to produce Let’s Eat Healthy Together. This 12-episode series teaches elementary schoolkids about food in a fun and interactive way. It covers topics like nutrition, farming, cooking, different cultures and how the senses help people enjoy food. The series won two Telly Awards. 

49ers Video: With the San Francisco 49ers Foundation and Moonshine Dairy, we made a public service video that tells the benefits of milk and dairy, both on and off the field. It also shows a working dairy farm that uses sustainable practices. NFL fans watched the video on social media to celebrate World Milk Day and National Dairy Month. 

Nutrition Education: California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom teamed with us to design a dairy nutrition lesson. In Dairy Foods Taste and Teach, students can try milk, yogurt and cheese. Plus, they learn that dairy is part of a sustainable, healthy eating pattern. The lesson includes a video, fact sheets, activity sheets, recipes and more.

Community Grants: We awarded four community grants, each for $5,000. These grants increase nutrition education, ag literacy and nutrition security. 

• Enhancing Milk and Dairy Education to the Community at Centennial Farm
• Cooking With Families: A Healthy Twist on Familiar Food 
• Empowering Healthy Choices: Cooking With Rancho Cucamonga Teens
• Strengthening Nutrition Security for the San Diego Unified School District Community  
  

Let’s Eat Healthy Summit: In May 2023, we held our first Let's Eat Healthy Summit. Over 100 nutrition champions came from agriculture, education, health care, public health and school nutrition. Partners shared ideas for improving nutrition in their communities. A survey showed 100% agreement that Let’s Eat Healthy can build partnerships and advance nutrition security, nutrition education and dairy ag literacy in their community.

As shown above, working with partners improves the health of children, families and communities. We invite you on the journey with us. We commit to amplify your voice as we work together. All partnerships start with two, and we value our most important partner: you.

• Visit HealthyEating.org and sign up for the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative today.
• Share your story through the Let’s Eat Healthy Leadership Awards. Inspire others by submitting a nomination today. 
• Learn ways to share best practices through the Let’s Eat Healthy Community of Practice webinars launching in 2024. 
• Let us help advance your great work through the Let’s Eat Healthy Community Grants program. 

Partner with us through Let’s Eat Healthy to connect, engage and share!