Support the Federation of Virginia Food Banks to Provide Fresh, Nutritious Dairy Milk to Families in Need
In honor of Hunger Action Month, leading organizations working on behalf of Virginia dairy farm families, including The Dairy Alliance, Virginia State Dairymen’s Association (VSDA), and Maola Local Dairies are partnering with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks to combat food insecurity through the Milk For Good program. From September 27 to October 6, 2024, at the Virginia State Fair, this initiative will raise funds and increase access to fresh, nutritious dairy foods for families in need across the Commonwealth.
Launched in 2019 with support from The Dairy Alliance, VSDA, and Maola Local Dairies, Milk for Good delivers fresh, local dairy milk to families served by seven food banks across Virginia. Fair attendees can contribute by purchasing local dairy milk outside the Meadow Event Pavilion, with all proceeds benefiting Virginia food pantries and the State Fair of Virginia Dairy Scholarship program, which aids students pursuing careers in the dairy industry.
“More than 700,000 Virginians are struggling to keep up with a higher cost of living and are turning to our network of 1,100 pantry partners for assistance,” said Eddie Oliver, Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. “We are excited that many of them have the opportunity to take home fresh, local milk due to the support of our partners for Milk for Good.”
“Milk For Good exemplifies the strength and generosity of our agricultural community, and we are honored to support these efforts,” said Geri Berdak, Chief Executive Officer at The Dairy Alliance. “Dairy is essential for nourishing growing children, mothers, and families, and we aim to increase awareness of this critical need across the state.”
Every cup of milk sold at the fair makes a difference, with Maola matching up to $10,000 in donations to provide milk for families in need.
On average, a $12 donation provides five half-gallons (40 servings) of milk. The ongoing support from the cooperative ensures that Virginia food banks have the necessary resources, including refrigerated coolers, to store and preserve milk before distribution.
“Supporting families in need is a top priority for us,” said Eric Paulson, Executive Director of VSDA. “Milk For Good has significantly impacted food insecurity in Virginia by providing critical access to fresh dairy milk, supporting thousands of families. We look forward to continuing our involvement at the fair to raise awareness.”
“As a cooperative, our mission is to connect our farm families to their communities through high-quality dairy products,” said Jay Bryant, CEO of Maola Local Dairies. “Many families struggle to access affordable and nutritious milk, and we are committed to addressing this challenge.”
To date, Milk for Good has supported the distribution of over 240,000 half-gallons of milk across Virginia. For more information or to donate to support Milk for Good, visit the link here.
About Federation of Virginia Food Banks
The Federation of Virginia Food Banks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit state association of food banks affiliated with Feeding America. The Federation supports the seven regional Virginia/Washington DC food banks in building partnerships, securing resources, sharing data, and raising awareness of food insecurity throughout the Commonwealth.
About The Dairy Alliance
The Dairy Alliance is a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families of the Southeast. We work diligently with dairy farmers, schools, sports teams, health professionals, local organizations, state leaders, the media, and the public to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry.
About Virginia State Dairymen’s Association
The Virginia State Dairymen’s Association was founded in 1907. The goal of the VSDA is to represent and promote the dairy industry in Virginia. The VSDA is a member-organization that spans the state of Virginia and represents its member’s views on a state and federal level.
About Maola Local Dairies
Maola Local Dairies, owned by the farmers of Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, sustainably produces a full suite of nutritious dairy products through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit www.maolamilk.com.
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Kaitlyn Ianiro
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305.631.2283
