Midwest Dairy continued its work to strengthen trust in dairy among school nutrition professionals by sponsoring educational sessions at both the North Dakota and Kansas School Nutrition Association conferences this fall. These events reached more than 200 school leaders who directly influence the dairy choices available to students every day.
North Dakota Conference Highlights
At the North Dakota School Nutrition Association Conference on October 16, Midwest Dairy sponsored Wellness Warrior Haley Miskowiec, RD, LD, to lead two engaging sessions.
Her first session, “Navigating Dairy: From Added Sugars to Allergies,” drew more than 100 participants, including staff from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. Haley explained the USDA’s new final rule limiting added sugars in milk and yogurt, compared sugar levels in school versus retail products, and shared research showing the impact of removing flavored milk from schools. She also helped clarify the difference between lactose intolerance and milk allergies, offering practical guidance for compliant substitutions.
In her second session, “Navigating New Breakfast Standards,” Haley introduced the Smart Swaps Program, a new online resource from the National Dairy Council that provides sample menus, recipes, and training materials. About 50 attendees participated and showed strong interest in using the tool to enhance their school meal planning.
Kansas Conference Highlights
Earlier in the month, on October 5, Midwest Dairy sponsored a similar session at the Kansas School Nutrition Association Fall Conference. Sixty-two school nutrition professionals attended Haley’s presentation on “Navigating Dairy: From Added Sugar to Allergies.” The discussion focused on dairy’s nutrient benefits and the importance of keeping flavored milk on school menus. Haley again introduced the Smart Swaps Program, sparking excitement about how it could support daily menu planning and compliance.
Impact and Alignment with Midwest Dairy’s Mission
By connecting with school nutrition professionals through these conferences, Midwest Dairy continues to provide timely education and practical tools that highlight dairy’s role in balanced school meals. These efforts help maintain dairy’s presence in cafeterias while reinforcing trust in farmers’ commitment to providing nutritious options for children across the region.