Dairy Farmers Of America Members Donate Dairy Products To Families In Need

The family farm-owners and employees of Dairy Farmers of America are stepping up to help those who are facing unprecedented hardships as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of this effort, the national dairy cooperative is working to provide nutritious dairy products to those in need. This includes the launch of its Farmers Feeding Families Fund, with the goal of raising $500,000 for community food banks across the country.

"As dairy farmers, we are proud of the role we play in feeding families, and in times like these when so many are struggling, we feel passionately about doing all we can to help," said Randy Mooney, a dairy farmer from Rogersville, Missouri, and Chairman of DFA's Board of Directors. "Food banks are always in need of dairy products, which are less commonly donated because of how perishable they are. Initiatives like this that allow us to get our highly nutritious milk and dairy products into the hands of people who need them are essential right now. I'm proud to be a part of it."

Initial seed money of $200,000 has already been raised through the cooperative's DFA Cares Foundation, according to a press release—funds that will go to 30 communities across the country to help food banks purchase much-needed dairy products.

The Farmers Feeding Families joins the cooperative’s lineup of good deeds, which also includes hosting events like drive-by milk giveaways at schools and donating fluid milk directly to food banks—all of which are intended to alleviate the effects of the projected $1.4 billion COVID-19-related shortfalls.

"Hunger is a critical, ongoing need throughout America," said Jackie Klippenstein, Senior Vice President of Government, Industry, and Community Relations. "In times of crisis, that need is even greater. Even in times of uncertainty and increasing challenges, our farm families and employees remain steadfast in their commitment to making an impact in the communities where we live and work."

In addition, DFA is partnering with industry leaders and milk processors to drum up solutions and uses for surplus milk due to declines in foodservice demand, which include the following:

• Donating more than 9,500 half gallons of milk to Connecticut Food Bank in conjunction with DFA-owned Guida's Dairy
• Partnering with Daisy® Brand to donate 120,000 pounds of cottage cheese over a six-week period to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and other local food banks throughout Ohio
• Working with the American Dairy Association North East and local Dean Foods plants in New York and Pennsylvania to provide more than 36,000 half-gallon jugs of milk to City Harvest in Brooklyn, New York, Share Food Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Rolling Harvest in Hightstown, New Jersey, and more than 4,000-gallon jugs to Corinth Central School District in Corinth, New York
• Coordinating with Dean Foods plants in Texas to donate milk to local food banks in the area

More information and ways to contribute can be found here. Deli Market News commends our industry’s leaders on the front lines like Dairy Farmers of America. Thank you, all!