North Dakota Farmers Adapt to Consumer Habits And New Federal Guidelines

(Adobe Stock via Prairie News Service)

(By Mike Moen. Prairie News Service) – New dietary guidelines in the United States are raising eyebrows. As health experts debate the latest recommendations, family farm advocates in North Dakota hope producers are able to make needed operational changes amid shifting consumer demands.

This month, the Trump administration laid out what it calls “the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades.” The new food pyramid calls on American consumers to prioritize protein and full-fat dairy in their diets, along with whole grains and fresh vegetables. Highly-processed foods and added sugars are discouraged.

North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue said they’re educating members about these moves and how they might affect each farm differently.

“That demand for whole foods certainly presents opportunities for our livestock sector,” he said, “and it might create challenges for some of our commodity producers in North Dakota.”