In 2025, Midwest Dairy introduced the Wellness Warriors program to engage credible health professional thought leaders in building trust in dairy among school nutritionists, WIC leaders, and other health and wellness experts.
The program leverages the expertise of respected registered dietitians who bring deep knowledge in human nutrition, public health, school nutrition, food allergy management, and sustainable food systems. From 2025 through 2026, these Wellness Warriors will represent dairy at conferences, webinars, podcasts, and other professional platforms to strengthen trust in dairy among influential decision-makers and consumers.
One Wellness Warrior is Haley Miskowiec, RD, LD,based in the Twin Cities. Haley’s career centers on child nutrition, with experience in WIC, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership. In her private practice, she focuses on maternal and child nutrition, offering a strong perspective on the role of dairy in lifelong health.
Haley recently represented Midwest Dairy at the Minnesota School Nutrition Association’s Annual Conference in Rochester. The event drew more than 550 school nutrition directors and staff. Haley engaged 48 professionals in her interactive session, “Navigating Dairy: From Added Sugars to Allergies.”
In her session, Haley emphasized the key nutrients in dairy and explained new federal regulations that reduce added sugars in milk and yogurt. She compared sugar levels in school offerings to retail options and presented case studies that demonstrated the negative impacts of removing chocolate milk from schools. Haley also clarified the differences between lactose intolerance and dairy allergy, providing practical guidance on substitutions to help districts remain compliant while still offering students the nutritional benefits of dairy.
The session was highly interactive and well-received, sparking conversations among attendees about how nutrition policy decisions affect students in their districts. Haley’s work as a Wellness Warrior supports Midwest Dairy’s mission to build trust in dairy by equipping key decision-makers with credible, science-based information. By engaging school nutrition professionals, those who directly influence what children see and choose in the cafeteria, Wellness Warriors like Haley are helping ensure dairy remains a valued and trusted part of healthy school meals.