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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.

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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."

Perdue explained that consumers themselves are already showing greater interest in beef products raised and processed locally. These topics will be covered during a summit hosted by the Farmers Union on Feb. 17 in Jamestown.

Nutrition experts have said the new federal guidelines maintain valuable tips for a healthy diet, but they question whether the update overstates the need for more protein.

Perdue said the evolving consumer landscape should remind farmers of the need to tell their story when marketing their products, "help everyday consumers understand what we produce, how we produce it, the ways in which we manage our natural resources.

Perdue acknowledged that consumers remain very worried about the high cost of groceries, but he said the ability of American farmers to produce surplus food at lower costs compared to the rest of the world is a selling point. Currently, farmers do have higher production costs to contend with and trade-war effects. Perdue suggested expanding domestic markets can ease those pressures.