This month, explore the 2026 Trends for Education and Health Professionals, highlighting key shifts shaping nutrition guidance, health care and food systems—plus an upcoming webinar to dive deeper. We’re also featuring evidence-based resources for National Children’s Dental Health Month and Heart Health Month, along with a look at community partnerships advancing nutrition education across California.
Read the 2026 Trends for Education and Health Professionals, an evidence-based publication highlighting shifts that impact nutrition guidance, health care, food systems and public policy.
The 2026 Trends include:
1.) 2026 Trends for Education and Health Professionals Webinar: What’s Shaping Health Today
Date/Time: March 18, 2026, 12–1 p.m. PDT
Join Dairy Council of California Registered Dietitians, Ashley Rosales, Megan Holdaway and Bessie O’Connor to explore what is shaping nutrition, health and wellness in 2026. 1 CPEU (pending CDR approval)
Register here.
2.) Save the Date: What’s New in School Nutrition: Understanding Updated Meal and Beverage Options.
On March 25, 2026, 10–11:15 a.m. PDT, Dairy Council of CA will host a webinar exploring the evolving national guidance shaping school meals and beverage options. More information and registration details are coming soon.
Healthy food choices in childhood help lay the foundation for lifelong oral health. According to Dr. Thakkar, Clinical Dental Director at Camarena Health, "Dietary patterns directly influence caries risk, enamel integrity and periodontal health. Evidence-based nutrition education, especially around encouraging dairy and water while limiting sugar-sweetened beverage choices, is a powerful preventive tool." Learn more about how nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus found in dairy foods help build strong bones and teeth here.
Research suggests that dairy, including whole-fat dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese may have protective or neutral effects on cardiometabolic health when included as part of balanced dietary patterns. Dairy foods have high-quality protein, as well as essential nutrients to support heart health alongside fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Read more here.
Share short nutrition videos designed for waiting room education on how dairy can support satiety and lactose intolerance. They are available on the Real California Milk YouTube channel for easy access.
Dairy Council of California offers an easy-to-navigate Milk & Dairy Nutrition resource to support evidence-based nutrition guidance across health care, education and community settings. This page brings together frequently asked questions and science-based answers, making it easier to access and share current, credible information on milk and dairy for use in practice, classrooms and client conversations.
Explore the resource at DairyCouncilofCA.org.
On January 11, Dairy Council of California celebrated National Milk Day by highlighting milk as a safe, nutritious and affordable food. To reach families directly, we partnered with Mother’s Nutritional Center, a California-based nonprofit organization that supports low-income families by improving access to nutritious foods and nutrition education. Events were held at 16 locations, providing free milk and nutrition education to approximately 800 participants. We are grateful for these opportunities and look forward to engaging California communities again during National Dairy Month in June.
Together, we can continue exploring nutrition-focused solutions that promote equity, support prevention and strengthen community wellness.
Questions or opportunities for collaboration? Please contact Bessie O’Connor, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at boconnor@dairycouncilofca.org.