ROSEMONT, ILL. – The dairy checkoff laid out a strategic plan to educate consumers about dairy’s link to brain health, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) shared that it and fellow checkoff organizations such as the National Dairy Council (NDC), Innovation Center for US Dairy, US Dairy Export Council, Newtrient and GENYOUth will work with MilkPEP “to collectively elevate awareness and understanding of dairy’s contributions to the 1,000-day period.” 

The checkoff, highlighting the impact of dairy nutrients including iodine and choline, said parents seek guidance on ways to best nourish their children, and cognitive development is of primary interest.

“We identified a topic that’s of pressing concern and interest among thought leader audiences and consumers, and has very strong dairy science behind it,” said Heather Oldani, DMI’s head of marketing communications and affairs. “This is a collective effort that has different avenues for individual organizations within the dairy community to participate. Everyone will add a drop into the bucket and those drops will create an ocean effect for a bigger awareness and impact in the marketplace.”

Among the checkoff’s strategies are media partnerships, such as a campaign this fall that will not only include print ads and social media promotions, but also articles on the science-backed importance of the first 1,000 days in national publications Good Housekeeping and USA Today.

On the social media front, the checkoff and MilkPEP plan to work with influencers. Plus, noted pediatric dietitian Ambassador Marina Chaparro, who is an NDC ambassador, will promote dairy’s role in brain health on her social channels and bilingual Nutrachicos website. And prenatal nutritionist Ryann Kipping, who has hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok, will highlight the importance of dairy nutrition.

The strategy also includes health and wellness partnerships. NDC, for example, launched a multi-year collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics that involves developing a nutrition education program for pediatricians and pediatric trainees. The checkoff also works with the Mayo Clinic on dairy-focused nutrition content.

Furthermore, the checkoff will promote content through its own Undeniably Dairy channels and its US Dairy website. Stories and other content will cover such topics as dairy foods for infant brain development and the top cognitive development benefits associated with dairy. On TikTok, the checkoff shared that videos will address questions about which foods to eat during pregnancy and after birth.

NDC director of nutrition and regulatory affairs Megan Maisano pointed out an American Academy of Pediatrics statement identifies 14 essential nutrients for early brain development and dairy provides seven of them.

“At the end of the day, every parent and care provider just wants their child to reach their full potential and do better than the generation before,” Maisano said. “Good nutrition during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood plays a foundational role in enabling a child to grow, learn and thrive. Dairy is an affordable, accessible food group that contributes really important nutrients, especially in those early years.”