Dairy farmers in Wisconsin are happy with the new federal recommendations to drink more milk and eat more cheese.
The Edge Dairy Cooperative on Thursday voiced its support for the new dietary recommendations from the US Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA.
“We know that dairy products are full of nutritious vitamins and minerals and are high in protein and healthy fats, making them an important part of a healthy diet,” Edge President Heidi Fischer said in a statement.
HHS and the USDA are changing the nation’s food pyramid. The new pyramid suggests more meat, milk, cheese, and butter, along with recommendations that people eat vegetables, fruit, healthy fats and whole grains.
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. said the new food pyramid discourages eating too much sugar, and too many highly processed foods.
The new food pyramid suggests three services of dairy per-day.
“When consuming dairy, include full-fat dairy with no added sugars. Dairy is an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals,” the new guidelines state. “These Guidelines call on every American to eat more real food. They call on farmers, ranchers, health care professionals, insurers, educators, community leaders, industry, and lawmakers across all levels of government to join in this critical effort.”
Fischer said she liked what she is seeing from the new food pyramid.
“We’re encouraged to see fuller fat dairy products prioritized in these new guidelines, and as farmers, we’re eager to be part of the solution in making America healthy again through the consumption of real food,” she added.
The Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is the second largest dairy cooperative in the country based on milk volume, and one of Wisconsin’s most important dairy groups.
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This article was originally published with The MacIver Institute.