Only 30 years ago olive oil was an ethnic ingredient, far from the mainstream product it is today. Oldways helped change public policy and perception about fats—moving away from a fear to a focus on the health benefits. And today—decades later—we continue to be a leader in introducing the Mediterranean Diet and its ingredients to American consumers and health professionals. 

Oldways created the Whole Grains Council in 2003, introducing the Whole Grain Stamp in 2005, and we have continued to be a driving force in making whole grains the new norm. Dietary guidelines now state, “Make at least half your grains whole grains,” and the Whole Grains Council survey shows that consumers trust the Whole Grain Stamp. 

Using cultural models to inspire healthy eating, Oldways created and introduced healthy eating pyramids (Mediterranean, Asian, Latin American, Vegetarian/Vegan, and African Heritage), along with education outreach programs. Oldways’ focus on traditional diets as cultural models for healthy eating has paved the way for the current wave of healthy international foods and restaurants.

Long before America knew about Juneteenth, Oldways had promoted the concept of culturally relevant dietary guidance. As Oldways founder K. Dun Gifford said when we presented our cultural dietary pyramids to government officials in the mid-1990s, “One size doesn’t fit all. America is a nation of immigrants.” It’s that understanding and programming that brings Oldways cultural diets to life.

Oldways has been a leader in promoting common sense dietary advice over the fad diet of the moment. This includes bringing scientists, journalists, chefs, and other food experts together to establish scientific consensus around nutrition issues at theOldways’ Common Ground conference, where industry leaders—from vegan to paleo—came together to reach consensus on what makes a healthy dietary pattern.

Before Michael Pollan’s advice to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants,” Oldways’ nutrition messaging focused on plant-based heritage diets. Our newsletters feature largely plant-based topics and recipes; our curricula include only plant-based recipes and lessons; our recipe database is mostly vegetarian and vegan; and we created a week-long vegan meal plan for hospitals.

Oldways Culinarias are enriching educational experiences that celebrate tradition, heritage, and connectedness—from meeting farmers and cheesemakers, to cooking alongside chefs, to learning the cultural history of the region and its foods. The Oldways culinary tours are an example of how travel can inspire a change in eating habits and, as a result, help us become better human beings. 

In the late 1990s, Oldways was part of a coalition—along with the American Cheese Society, the Cheese Importers Association, and Whole Foods Market—that helped to retain the 60-day aging rule on raw milk cheeses. We continue to promote the importance of traditional and raw milk cheeses, which provide pleasure for consumers and promote local communities in the US and abroad.