Nearly 90 percent of Americans are not consuming the amount of dairy recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. That means dairy companies have an important opportunity to engage with consumers and promote the nutritious role of dairy products in healthy eating patterns, said Cary Frye, IDFA vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, during a nutrition-focused session at Regulatory RoundUP last week.

Jackie Haven, deputy director of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reinforced that message when she discussed the creative ways USDA’s new campaign “MyPlate, MyWins” is communicating with American consumers. She presented several opportunities for dairy companies to get involved.

MyPlate, My Wins

USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion works to translate nutrition policy into programs and materials, Haven explained. The center launched the MyPlate program in 2011 to help Americans better understand and follow the Dietary Guidelines. Five years later, the MyPlate symbol is now recognized by one in two Americans, she said, so USDA expanded the effort by launching MyPlate, MyWins this year to encourage consumers to celebrate small nutritional victories every day.

The campaign features testimonial videos, healthy eating tips, educational materials and tools that dairy companies can use to encourage Americans to choose healthy dairy options. Haven said dairy companies could join others who are creating interactive challenges on the MyPlate, MyWins website, which promotes ways to make healthy eating fun.

Additional Activities for Companies

Haven also encouraged dairy companies to sign up as National Strategic Partners in USDA’s MyPlate Nutrition Communicator’s Network, which helps nationally promote nutrition content from the Dietary Guidelines and MyPlate.

USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion is also seeking healthy recipes for “What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl,” a large cookbook database that allows users to seek, rate and share healthy cooking ideas.

In addition, dairy companies can engage local consumers and communities with the recently released MyPlate, MyState component, which connects healthy eating to local agriculture and food traditions.

For more information, visit MyPlate online, or contact Cary Frye, IDFA vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, at cfrye@idfa.org.