Midwest Dairy was proud to support the 22nd annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day, an event hosted by the University of Nebraska at Kearney that brings together thousands of 4th-grade students each year. What began as a single community effort has grown into a statewide program with eight host communities, each committed to helping children build healthy habits through movement, learning, and fun.
This long-running partnership is an important part of Midwest Dairy’s work to encourage healthy eating patterns among young learners while building lifelong trust in dairy foods.
A Day Designed for Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds
The event focused on helping students understand that staying active and eating well can be both enjoyable and achievable. Throughout the day, students rotated through noncompetitive fitness stations, from jump-rope challenges to relay activities, designed to help them discover physical activities they can enjoy at home, at school, or with friends.
Equally important were the hands-on nutrition lessons. Students learned the basics of building balanced meals, the importance of fueling their bodies throughout the day, and how dairy foods fit naturally into a healthy eating pattern. Educators walked students through easy ways to include dairy at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, helping them see dairy as both accessible and nutritious.
Each child also received a nutritious sack lunch that included a dairy item, giving them a practical example of how dairy fits into real-life eating.
Supporting Teachers and Extending the Learning Year-Round
One of the most powerful aspects of this event was its reach beyond the single day. Classroom teachers and physical education professionals received materials and resources they can use long after the event ends, including dairy nutrition resources, classroom activities, and take-home materials for families. These tools helped reinforce key lessons about balanced eating and the role of dairy in supporting growth, development, and overall wellness.
A Partnership Making a Lasting Difference
Midwest Dairy’s continued collaboration with the University of Nebraska at Kearney ensures thousands of students learn about physical activity, nutrition, and dairy in a positive, practical way. By introducing dairy as part of a healthy lifestyle early on, this program helps build long-term trust and understanding among the next generation of consumers.