Dairy farmers produce nutritious foods people rely on every day. Yet in a landscape where nutrition information is abundant, it is critical that trusted health professionals have access to credible, science-based information about dairy.
That is why New England Dairy invests in continuing education for registered dietitians (RDs) and other health professionals.
These professionals influence recommendations made to parents, schools, healthcare settings, and communities. When they are equipped with current, evidence-based information about dairy nutrition, they are better able to support the people they serve, while also helping ensure dairy is represented accurately in nutrition conversations. Since 2020, New England Dairy has offered continuing education for RDs through live webinars and an on-demand webinar library. Webinars allow us to reach health professionals where they are, connect them with leading experts, and share emerging research alongside practical applications they can use in their work. In 2025, we reached nearly 3,000 people through our live and recorded webinars.
Topics have included:
- Gut health
- Protein quality
- Child nutrition
- Bone health
- Chronic disease prevention
During our most recent webinar, Gut Health in Practice: Fermented Foods, Prebiotics, and Probiotics, attendees heard from gut health researcher Hannah D. Holscher, PhD, RD, FASN, on the relationship between the gut microbiome and health outcomes, including practical strategies for incorporating microbiome-supporting foods, including dairy, into everyday eating patterns.
The webinar drew 248 attendees, one of our strongest attendance rates to date, demonstrating strong interest in this topic. Importantly, the webinar also strengthened trust. Perception of New England Dairy as a trusted source of nutrition education increased from 68 percent to 94 percent following the program.
One webinar can reach hundreds of health professionals, and each professional may influence hundreds or even thousands of consumers through their work. That creates a ripple effect that extends farmers’ investment far beyond a single event.
By investing in health professional education, dairy farmers are helping ensure dairy has a credible voice in nutrition conversations, building trust in dairy foods, and supporting long-term demand.
Our next live webinar is taking place on June 3, 2026, at 2:00pm: Optimizing Peak Bone Mass in Premenopausal Women: Evidence-Based Nutrition Strategies for Lifelong Skeletal Health
Here’s two sentences you can easily share with a fellow farmer about this work:
New England Dairy’s continuing education program for registered dietitians is helping more nutrition experts understand and confidently share the real story of dairy, so more patients and families hear accurate, science-based information straight from trusted professionals. Last year, New England Dairy reached nearly 3,000 people with their live and recorded webinars.