The federal government shutdown is dragging on, and Americans are starting to feel its effects. Impacts on the federal workforce and services are creating economic uncertainties, delays in critical federal reports and disruptions in air travel. If Congress does not pass a budget by Oct. 31, 42 million children, parents, elderly and disabled Americans will not receive their benefits for federal nutrition assistance programs in November, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). One in eight households rely on food assistance to buy groceries and feed their families. Food insecurity has significant short- and long-term health impacts on vulnerable populations that are already struggling to make ends meet, creating immense stress right before the holiday season.
In response, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he is fast-tracking $80 million and deploying the California National Guard and the California Volunteers on a humanitarian mission to support food banks with meal distribution in anticipation of an increase in demand. At Dairy Council of California, we will continue to focus on opportunities to advocate for increased access to affordable, healthy foods like milk and dairy foods.
Below you will find more information about our annual successes from last year, as well as other program updates. We also break down the newly passed law restricting ultra-processed foods in California schools.
This year’s Annual Report reflects a transformative period for Dairy Council of CA—one defined by innovation, strategic focus and forward-thinking leadership. The report highlights progress in supporting nutrition security through education, collaboration and science-based advocacy, while strengthening partnerships that elevate the health of communities across California.
Through engagement with leaders in education, health, agriculture and the dairy community, Dairy Council of CA continues to champion the importance of nutrition education and sustainable food systems in improving public health. The report showcases measurable impact, including reaching 1.7 million children and families, expanding professional trainings and contributing to national and international dialogue on dairy’s role in health and sustainability.
We invite you to explore this year’s outcome-based report to see how our collective efforts are driving healthier behaviors, stronger partnerships and lasting impact across the state.
On Oct. 8, Gov. Newsom signed into law AB 1264, named the Real Food, Healthy Kids Act. Following are key points included in the law:
Dairy Council of CA continues to monitor regulatory actions to address ultraprocessed foods and food additives. Our Regulatory Affairs page has resources, including public comments and a one-page research review handout. We will keep the dairy community informed of important updates.
Amidst new investigations of H5N1 in commercial poultry in Northern California, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) strongly encourages dairy farms and processors to:
Dairy Council of CA, in partnership with the California School Nutrition Association’s Mother Lode Chapter 45, hosted an educational dairy tour at Tollcrest Dairy in Wheatland on Oct. 2, 2025. The event brought together school nutrition professionals and culinary leaders from across the region to learn firsthand about dairy production, sustainability practices and how agriculture contributes to student health and school meals.
Read more about the tour on our website.
Welcome students to your farm with confidence! Dairy Council of CA created a free toolkit that offers simple, practical tips to make hosting dairy farm field trips easy, safe and meaningful—helping the next generation learn where its food comes from. Access the toolkit here.
Dairy Council of CA dietitians, Kristal Mylander and Shannan Young, attended the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Nashville, TN, from Oct. 11 to 14 to connect with nutrition professionals from around the country and beyond. Key activations included a poster presentation on the Dairy Dialogue convening, an initiative to address nutrient gaps in children’s diets through improved school meals. In partnership with the National Dairy Council (NDC), Dairy Council of CA supported University of California, Davis Associate Professor Dr. Debbie Fetter’s session sharing the value of her experience as a NextGen scientist. Dairy Council of CA dietitians also volunteered their time at the NDC exhibit booth.
If you have questions, concerns or feedback you would like to share, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Amy DeLisio, CEO
Dairy Council of California