Batter Up For America

I don't claim to be the biggest sports fan in America, but I do enjoy following our Minnesota teams. I'm also one of those people who gets a bit "star-struck" when I get the opportunity to meet one of these athletes. 

 
When I recently got asked to represent dairy farmers at an autograph signing with Minnesota Twins own baseball rookie, Eddie Rosario, I thought wow! A Minnesota sports celebrity and promoting dairy? That's a win-win situation!

The focus of this event was to share the importance of the
 Great American Milk Drive
which, with your help, makes milk available to children and families in need,
 especially in the summer months. 

According to Feeding America, more than half a million people in Minnesota are food insecure. Nearly 1-in-6 children throughout Minnesota struggle with hunger and may be at risk of missing out on milk's nutrition during the summer months.

Bob Chatmas, of Second Harvest, shared that milk is the single most requested nutritious item by food bank clients, but it's rarely donated. On average, food banks are only able to provide one gallon of milk per person per year. This means food bank clients can't even come close to the recommended three servings of dairy each day!

Most of us don't have to think twice about picking up a gallon of milk when we run out, and yes, even though I'm a dairy farmer surrounded by milk, I buy my milk at the store, just like you. But some families in our communities are missing this nutrient rich beverage. It's a problem that impacts all sorts of families - in urban, suburban and rural communities. Hunger is everywhere.

The Great American Milk Drive is a Feeding America program that's made possible by the nation's milk companies and dairy farmers, like me. It is designed to make it easy for all of us to donate much-needed milk to local food banks. I've donated several times by clicking on the link above. 
Won't you?

The Great American Milk Drive

Imagine cereal without milk... 

What's a chocolate chip cookie without a glass of milk?

Spicey food? Where's the milk?

"Where's the milk?" If you are the 1 in 6 Americans who struggle with hunger and rely on food shelves for your groceries, you may be asking this question. Milk is the number one requested food item by food banks. The average food bank client needs 68 gallons of milk per year, and 95% of food banks don't receive enough milk to meet clients needs. Therefore, on average only one gallon is donated per client, per year!

What can we do?

The Great American Milk Drive is the first-ever, multi-year, nationwide program that will provide milk to food bank clients. Through the Feeding America network of more than 200 food banks that serve thousands of local community agencies and pantries, consumers have the opportunity to make milk donations online or via text. It's a quick and easy way to help our neighbors who aren't receiving the powerhouse of essential nutrients that milk provides. 

I've made my donation. Won't you join me?

Click here to donate. 

Thanks!