Partnerships and Programs Officer Shannan Young has fond memories of growing up and working on her family farm in Northern California. She has dedicated her career to helping others as she believes that everyone should have the ability to access healthy foods with the knowledge and skills to prepare them. 

A strategic change-maker working at local to international levels in nutrition, agriculture, food systems and food access programs, Shannan's career has centered on nutrition programs to support public health. She has more than 30 years of experience in strategic planning, nutrition program development, management and evaluation, research, thought leadership, multisectoral partnerships and consensus building. 

Shannan brings her experience in nutrition, sustainable food systems, capacity building, community and youth leadership and coalition building around common goals to elevate the health of children and families through healthy, sustainable eating patterns. As a founding leader of the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement of California and the California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative, and through her leadership in the California School Nutrition Association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the California Society of Association Executives, Shannan is no stranger to engaging volunteers to be leaders of a cause. 

Shannan has her Bachelor of Science degree in community nutrition with a focus in psychology from University of California, Davis. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist and credentialed as a school nutrition specialist through School Nutrition Association.

Shannan can be reached at syoung@dairycouncilofca.org.

Partnering with local, private and public entities to implement no-cost and low-cost strategies into school cafeterias can significantly increase participation in school meal programs, improve consumption of nutritious foods and reduce food waste.