As 2025 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the progress we’ve made and the work ahead to elevate the health of children and communities across California and beyond. This past year was transformative, marked by innovation, strategic focus and forward-thinking leadership that strengthened partnerships and created lasting impact.
Check out our annual report video for a recap of our 2024–2025 accomplishments.
At Dairy Council of California, we are so grateful for the dairy community’s commitment to responsibly producing nutritious dairy foods and for unwavering support of nutrition education that highlights the health benefits of milk and dairy foods
as part of healthy eating patterns for lifelong wellness. This shared commitment gives us hope and motivation to continue advancing health for all.
I wish you a peaceful and restful holiday season filled with joy and meaningful moments
with family and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In this issue, you’ll find timely updates on nutrition policies and guidelines, an invitation to join our National Milk Day campaign, and recent research and media highlights
to enjoy. Thank you for being part of this journey, as we look forward to 2026.
National Milk Day recognizes the first home deliveries of milk in sterilized glass bottles—a breakthrough
that marked a major advancement in food safety and helped make milk a more accessible and reliable source of nourishment for families. This day highlights milk’s ongoing role in supporting nutrition, affordability and health across the life
span. Dairy Council of California is committed to elevating the science on how milk and dairy foods contribute to growth, cognition, bone strength and overall wellness through essential nutrients that work together as part of the dairy matrix.
Join us in the commemoration: Download the National Milk Day Toolkit with facts, messages and ways to celebrate.
On December 15, the House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, providing schools with the option of serving whole and 2% milk, in addition to the current low fat and fat free options offered. Milk and dairy foods, regardless of fat levels, provide essential
nutrients that support children’s and teens’ growth and development and promote lifelong health, yet many children don’t get enough dairy foods each day. Offering a variety of milk options can help meet different nutrient needs and
taste preferences, making dairy easy for everyone to enjoy.
The bill unanimously passed the Senate in November and is now awaiting a signature of approval from the President. Dairy Council of California will continue to monitor and provide
the dairy community with updates on implementation plans and timeline as we learn more.
Efforts to regulate ultra-processed foods continue to evolve at the state, national and international levels. In the most recent development, the city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against leading food manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, claiming
these foods are linked to health issues and the companies were aware of the harmful qualities. Read more here. 
Dairy Council of California regularly monitors regulatory actions related to ultra-processed foods and food additives. We
provide timely insights and actionable, evidence-based recommendations to ensure nutrient-dense dairy foods continue to be recognized for their essential role in healthy eating patterns.
In my recently published opinion piece in AgriPulse, I explain why clarity on ultra-processed foods is urgently needed. The dairy community has an opportunity to lead by showing how responsibly produced dairy foods support balanced eating patterns
and improve public health outcomes.
Explore our Regulatory Affairs page for resources, including public comments and a one-page research review handout on ultra-processed foods, to strengthen your education and advocacy efforts.
The release of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is delayed, with estimated release in early 2026, confirmed by a recent article in the New York Times. The Dietary Guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for what Americans should eat and drink to promote health and reduce risk of chronic diseases. Updates are released every five years and determine the standards of federal nutrition programs such as the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Dairy Council of California will continue to monitor updates on the Dietary Guidelines and will plan to provide the dairy community with a timely summary of dairy implications upon its release.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced on November 20, 2025, the availability of $285 million for the America First Trade Promotion Program awards. For more details and information on how to apply, visit the FAS website.