By Jamie Martin
In a significant move to promote healthier dietary choices among the younger generation, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has rolled out the Organic Dairy Product Promotion (ODPP) program. This initiative, backed by a $15 million investment, seeks to broaden the reach of organic dairy products in educational settings across the nation.
Announced by Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt, the program is set to create new opportunities for organic dairy producers, especially those operating on a small or mid-sized scale.
"Expanding access to a variety of organic dairy products in schools and community programs promotes healthy consumption habits and strengthens local dairy markets,” Moffitt stated during the announcement in Vermont.
Partnering with prominent educational and agricultural institutions like the University of California, Fresno, and the University of Wisconsin, the program will implement region-specific projects aimed at integrating organic dairy into the diets of school-aged children and young adults. These projects will include distribution in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the USDA to support organic agriculture, which includes the Organic Transition Initiative and other programs designed to boost organic market development and ensure the sustainability of agriculture practices.
By fostering an environment where organic dairy products are more accessible in educational programs, the USDA aims to instill healthy eating habits in the youth while simultaneously providing robust markets for organic dairy farmers.
This program not only celebrates National Farm to School Month but also embodies the USDA's commitment to connecting producers with new local markets and offering fresh, healthy dairy products to the nation's youth.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National