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.