May 2, 2023

US dairy organisations conduct farm tour to strengthen trust in dairy

The United States' American Dairy Association North East and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program recently joined the Pennsylvania Beef Council to coordinate a farm tour for 15 registered dietitians at the Spring House Market and Farm in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, the US, to debunk dairy myths and build trust in dairy.

"Hosting health professionals like those from the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a crucial part of dairy checkoff's programming and relationship-building because of the ripple effect it can have in building trust in dairy," said Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program chair Lolly Lesher. "These dietitians have seen first-hand how dairy farmers sustainably produce milk and therefore can confidently recommend dairy as a safe, nutritious product for their own families and their clients."

During the event, beef producer William Devore spoke to the group about beef production and the nutritional value of beef.

The group then toured the dairy farm where the Minors milk 120 cows whose milk is processed at the Spring House and sold in the market. Tour guides answered the dietitians' questions about the on-farm production practices that highlighted how the farmers care for the land and the environment.

Attendee Andrea McCollum, a registered dietitian at Cura Hospitality, said: "The Spring House Farm Tour was very educational, and I feel more comfortable drinking any type of real dairy milk because I now know that all milk is safe, nutritious and delicious."

"Tours like these are so important to debunking myths about dairy by building a connection with the farmers who are producing the foods they recommend to their clients," said ADA North East chief executive officer John Chrisman. "It's a win for our farmers and it's a win for those who consume dairy."

- Perishable News