2023 December Board Book

during the last 50 years by repurposing agricultural byproducts such as almond hulls into cow feed rations and recycling water on the farm. These are just a few of the advances that often go unrecognized. Efforts are underway by the dairy community and others to broaden the definition of sustainability. For some people, the word sustainability refers solely to environmental concerns, but that narrow definition does not acknowledge the interconnection between the health of people and planet. Sustainable nutrition is a more holistic approach that ensures wholesome, nutrient-dense foods are accessible, affordable and culturally relevant, while also preserving environmental resources and supporting local communities. This approach is used by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Nutrition Education and Agricultural Literacy Are Critically Important Along with ensuring that affordable and accessible nutrient-rich plant and animal-derived foods and beverages are available via farm-to-school programs, nutrition education is also important. Nutrition education equips and empowers children and families to make informed eating decisions and establishes lifelong healthy eating patterns, while increasing agricultural literacy and knowl edge of how food gets from the farm to the plate. By advocating for science-based nutrition educa tion that meets people where they are, food and agriculture communities can enhance knowledge, understanding and value for wholesome, nutritious foods from all food groups. In urban areas like Los Angeles, it’s not unusual to meet a child who has never seen a cow, much less a dairy farm, making programs like Dairy Council of California’s Mobile Dairy Classroom (https://www.healthyeating.org/products-and-activities/programs-services/farm-to-you/mobile-dairy classroom) more important than ever. In conjunction with National Farm to School Month in October, Dairy Council of California is also introducing the Let’s Eat Healthy Together: Explore Dairy (https://www.healthyeating.org/cause/newsroom/detail/explore-dairy-new-educational-re source-released) curriculum. Designed in partnership with Lodi Unified School District, California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom and San Joaquin County Office of Education, this new no-cost resource brings food education to life and adds to Dairy Council of California’s school re sources made available (https://www.healthyeating.org/products-and-activities/programs-services/ farm-to-you?utm_campaign=f2s_23&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email% 20signature&utm_term=farm-to-school&utm_content=explore) by the dairy community. F arm-to-school programs offer opportunities for all types of farmers. For the California dairy indus try, farm-to-school provides a way to advocate for milk and dairy foods’ unique and essential contri-butions to daily healthy, sustainable eating patterns. Similar opportunities exist for others in agricul-ture. To learn more about how to get involved in elevating the health of schoolchildren, visit HealthyEating.org (//HealthyEating.org).

Amy DeLisio is the CEO of the Dairy Council of California, a position she has held since January 2023.