If you think that school lunch starts in the cafeteria, you are wrong. It begins with its nutritional roots: the farm. Recently, the California Beef Council (CBC), in collaboration with the California Dairy Council, brought 55 future healthcare professionals, students, educators, and school nutrition professionals to Desnaier Dairy in Lodi, California. We learned about the important role of dairy products and got to see it first hand. The farm is committed to sustainable agriculture and supports school nutrition programs.
“We chose Desnaier Dairy for this tour because it operates in a sustainable manner, implementing practices that optimize the use of resources and reduce environmental impact.” CBC Foods said Cori Dover, Director of Nutrition Outreach. “Attendees were able to participate in first-hand experiences and demonstrations of the interconnectedness of food production, consumption, and sustainability.”
Participants gained insight into the lifecycle of dairy production, from feed management to milking, and learned how the dairy industry contributes to the beef supply chain. Most importantly, the group will provide a deeper understanding of how beef and dairy, two agricultural sectors, contribute to providing nutritious food options to school programs and consumers. I was able to gain understanding.
“Tours like this help foster an open dialogue about production practices,” Dover said. “They go a long way in dispelling myths, debunking common misconceptions and building trust. Our goal with events like this is to develop and foster strong links between the agricultural sector and educational institutions. is.”
So how are these two agricultural sectors connected? Beef and dairy are both California’s top agricultural products, providing high-quality protein and other essential nutrients needed at every stage of life. It provides nutritious food. Additionally, dairy cows make up a significant portion of the U.S. beef supply, contributing between 18% and 24% of the total U.S. beef supply since 2002. This contribution equates to more choice and prime cuts for consumers.
“Open dialogue about dairy and beef cattle raising and production practices will go a long way in building trust between beef and dairy producers and educators,” Dover said. “This is an important partnership with significant benefits for all involved.”
For more information about our Food and Nutrition Assistance Program, please contact Kori Dover at kori@calbeef.org. For more information about CBC, visit calbeef.org.
About the California Beef Council
The California Beef Council (CBC) was established in 1954 as the promotion, research, and education arm of the California beef industry and is mandated by the California Food and Agriculture Act. CBC’s mission is to elevate the voice of the California beef industry and strengthen demand for beef through innovative promotion, research and open communication. For more information, visit calbeef.org.
About beef checkoff
The beef checkoff program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. This checkoff provides a $1/head valuation for the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to the same valuation for imported beef and beef products. Each state, subject to USDA approval, can keep up to 50 cents on the dollar and remit the remaining 50 cents per head to the Cattle Livestock Beef Promotion and Research Council, which administers the national checkoff program.
About the California Dairy Council
The California Dairy Council is a nutrition organization overseen by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. With funding from California’s dairy farmers and milk processors, we contribute to the community health philanthropy of our dairy community, positively impacting countless lives, and providing healthy, sustainable food. We promote the unique and essential contribution of milk and dairy products to life.
The California Dairy Council is also working to secure grants for community nutrition projects. We value collaboration and partner with organizations with shared values to expand our collective impact through collaboration and co-creation. For more information, visit dailycouncilofca.org.
