With schools closed and community meal services suspended amid the COVID-19 crisis, the need for reliable, nutritious food is even greater for thousands of families across the country.
In response, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) family farmer-owners have donated the equivalent of more than 625,000 gallons of milk to the many families faced with hunger who relied on these services over the past few months. Additionally, through the creation of the DFA Cares Farmers Feeding Families Fund, DFA and its farmer-owners are raising money to help provide essential support and deliver much-needed dairy products to community food banks across the country. To date, DFA has raised more than $500,000.
“With job losses, food insecurity and the need for additional supplies at food banks at an all-time high, we’re grateful for our family farmers, employees, industry partners and friends in the community for all they are doing in the midst of this pandemic to get dairy from the farm to the tables of those in need,” said Monica Massey, DFA executive vice president and chief of staff.
Starting on Monday, June 1, World Milk Day, DFA is encouraging everyone to join them in the Gallons of Good initiative. For every social post sharing what you’re grateful for using #GallonsOfGood during the month of June, DFA will donate $1 to help local food banks purchase milk through the Farmers Feeding Families Fund.
“In times like this, when people are trying to feed their families with sometimes scarce resources, they know dairy offers a wealth of nutrition, yet it’s one of the least donated items at food banks,” said Massey. “As a community of more than 13,000 family dairy farmers, we know initiatives like #GallonsOfGood are more important than ever to get more milk into the hands of people who need it most.”
To kick off the 20th anniversary of World Milk Day and spread the word about #GallonsOfGood, DFA is shining a light on all the dairy industry efforts with a video that’s all about dairy goodness. You can learn more and watch the milk jug fill as posts are shared all month long during June Dairy Month at GallonsOfGood.com.
Sharing Dairy Goodness
Additionally, throughout June Dairy Month, DFA family farmers across the country will deliver more than 10,000 gallons of milk to local communities through milk giveaways, food drives, and donations to local food banks. Follow along throughout the month on @dfamilk on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About World Milk Day
DFA celebrates World Milk Day every year to recognize the importance of milk as a global food. Organized by the United Nations twenty years ago, World Milk Day shares and celebrates the important contributions that the dairy industry adds to nutrition, communities, sustainability, livelihoods, and economic development. Last year, World Milk Day was celebrated with 426 events in 68 countries.
About Dairy Farmers of America
Dairy Farmers of America is a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative focusing on quality, innovation, and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving more than 13,000 family farmers, DFA works with some of the world's largest food companies to develop ingredients that satisfy their customers' cravings while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming.
