Happy National Nutrition Month! March is the perfect time to teach students how nutrient-rich foods, including milk and dairy foods, support overall health as part of healthy eating patterns. In this issue, you’ll find a variety of resources, exciting recognitions and upcoming events to help bring nutrition education to life.
National Nutrition Month is observed each March, highlighting the importance of making educated food choices and building healthy eating habits. This year’s theme, Discover the Power of Nutrition, encourages students to explore how nutrient-rich foods fuel growth, learning and well-being. Milk and dairy foods play an important role in healthy eating patterns, providing high-quality protein and essential nutrients that support strong bones and overall health.
Engage with this month’s theme by sharing these recommended resources.
Schools can now apply for nutrition equipment grants through the GENYOUth School Wellness Portal as part of the End Student Hunger initiative. These grants help schools strengthen student access to nutritious meals by supporting equipment such as mobile meal carts and smoothie kits. Schools across the country are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their nutrition programs and support student wellness.
The week of March 2–6, 2026, is National School Breakfast Week, celebrating the important role a nutritious school breakfast plays in supporting student learning and overall well-being.
Encourage student participation this week:
Each March, Dairy Council of California recognizes leaders who are advancing nutrition education, dairy-inclusive agricultural literacy and access to nutritious foods across California communities. The Let’s Eat Healthy Leadership Awards highlight educators, public health professionals and community partners who bring healthy eating patterns to life for students and families.
Announced during National Nutrition Month, this year’s awardees reflect the power of collaboration in helping young people understand where food comes from, the role of dairy and how it supports lifelong health.
Explore this year’s awardees here.
Curious about why milk and dairy foods play an important role in a healthy eating pattern? Dairy Council of California has created an easy-to-navigate milk and dairy nutrition resource designed to support evidence-based nutrition guidance. You’ll find clear, science-backed answers to common questions about lactose intolerance, chronic disease, nutrition security and more to support student learning and strengthen your nutrition education efforts.
Discover more here.
Bring farm-to-school nutrition education at your school this spring! Schedule a Mobile Dairy Classroom visit and give your students a fun, engaging experience that teaches how milk and dairy foods are produced and how they contribute to a healthy eating patterns.
Find out more about the Mobile Dairy Classroom’s availability here.
1.) 2026 Food & Nutrition Trends: What’s Shaping Health Today
Date/Time: March 18, 2026, 12–1 p.m. PDT
Explore the 2026 Food & Nutrition Trends shaping education, health systems and communities. Designed for health educators, professionals and those interested in the latest nutrition insights, this webinar provides a big picture view of the four key trends, their impact on practice and how to apply these insights to strengthen partnerships and priorities. This webinar offers 1 CPEU.
Register here.
2.) Whole Milk & Dairy in Schools: Supporting Student Health and Success
Date/Time: March 25, 2026, 10–11:15 a.m. PDT
Join this interactive session for school nutrition professionals and industry partners to explore the role of milk and dairy foods in child nutrition, understand the science of how whole milk fits in healthy eating patterns and review evolving national guidance shaping school meals and beverage options.
Register here.
3.) CASBO CON 26
Date/Time: April 1, 2026, 8–9 a.m. PDT
Navigating the New Nutrition Landscape for School Foodservice Success
Presenters: Tim White, Director of Nutrition Services, El Dorado Union High School District; Dairy Council of California
Participate in this session to gain new skills on how to adapt school foodservice programs to the evolving nutrition landscape and the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Examine the impact of ultra-processed foods, policy changes and public expectations on menus and procurement. Apply strategies that balance nutrition, cost and student satisfaction while enhancing program reputation and participation.
Learn more here.
4.) Sacramento Legislative Action Conference
Date/Time: April 13, 2026, 11:45 a.m. PDT
From Science to Action: Leveraging the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to Strengthen Child Health and School Nutrition
Discover how milk and dairy foods play a vital role in supporting childhood health and leave with actionable insights on how the Dietary Guidelines can be used to inform advocacy, align policy with science and engage cross-sector collaborators to advance equitable nutrition outcomes for children through school nutrition systems.
Learn more here.
Let's Work TogetherHave questions, ideas or want to collaborate?
Contact Maria Frye, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Community & School Engagement Project Manager, at mfrye@dairycouncilofca.org.