Reminiscing about childhood and reflecting on special occasions with family often conjures up memories of bonding over favorite meals. For St. Louis District Dairy Council’s (SLDDC) Nutrition Educators who work “in the field” on behalf of local dairy farmers, those meal memories often include dairy treats and dishes.  “As a child, I remember drinking milk at the dinner table (with an occasional spill!), eating ice cream cones, making homemade ice cream, and indulging in cheesy casseroles,” recalls Nutrition Educator Monica Nyman

Over the past 85 years, SLDDC has built lasting and cherished memories implementing programs in schools and beyond. Covering 131 counties in Illinois and Missouri, the organization’s focus remains teaching consumers how dairy fits into a healthy lifestyle.  Since working for SLDDC, Nutrition Educator Nyman has made countless personal visits with educators, health professionals and the media.  “I really enjoy the variety of my role and being able to promote dairy in local communities,” states Nyman

Working with farmers to dispel dairy myths is an important part of being a nutrition educator for SLDDC.  Consumers have questions about how their food is grown and as a result, on-farm practices. “It is critical for consumers to trust that information is reliable and supported by science”, states Nyman.  “As educators, we have the opportunity to share how farms and processing plants operate, which adds another layer of transparency to the industry.”

Each day, SLDDC nutrition educators work hard to help Missouri and Illinois residents make the best choices for their taste buds and their health. It is an organizational priority to provide the most reliable, up to date information, and to remain a trustworthy source of knowledge. Recommending 3 servings of dairy per day is the easy part; trying to figure out which delicious combination of dairy to choose each day can be a bit more challenging.