June is Dairy Month, so the U.S. dairy community will build on its commitment to nourish people by joining forces with Feeding America to address food instability and child hunger. One in six U.S. children faces hunger, with the problem getting worse in the summer as many don’t have access to school meal programs.
The dairy community and Feeding America will kick off National Dairy Month by taking a three-vehicle convoy on a cross-country tour in June and July. The goal will be to provide kids with free, nutritious milk and dairy foods at locations like farmers markets, feeding sites, and even sporting events. Community pop-up events will also take place in markets stretching from California all the way out to Maine.
Over the last five years, the U.S. dairy community has helped to secure more than 31 million servings of milk to children and families in need, thanks to the Great American Milk Drive. They’re committed to providing 50 million servings of milk to children and families in need by 2020. Last year alone, U.S. dairy farmers and companies contributed 686 million servings, or 275 million pounds, of milk, cheese, and yogurt to the Feeding America Network of food banks.
Source: National Association of Farm Broadcasters