As efforts continue to get fresh foods into the hands of those living in what Michigan calls its “food deserts” –places where close access to fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy items and baked goods is often severely limited if not non-existent — the Michigan Milk Producers Association is stepping up to the window to help.
More Michigan children will enjoy nourishing milk this summer thanks to 876,000 servings donated in June to the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM).
The donation honored the 50th anniversary of Kroger and Michigan Dairy’s partnership with the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). On behalf of the state’s food banks, FBCM received a donation of 150 gallons of milk per day for 2017. That amounts to 54,750 gallons of milk to Michigan’s area food banks.
MMPA is a farmer-owned cooperative, meaning the milk is a donation directly from the farmers. For three consecutive years, MMPA has worked with local farmers for their generous donation while annually increasing the donated amount of milk.
Dr. Phillip Knight is Executive Director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. He tells us, “One in seven people in Michigan struggle with hunger, and we’re constantly working toward solutions.” He points out, “MMPA’s donation puts us one step closer to solving hunger and food insecurity in Michigan.”
More than 1,100 farms are donating milk through MMPA. Most of the milk will be processed by Prairie Farms in Battle Creek, but Michigan Dairy will also be processing the milk donated in their honor.
Ken Nobis is a dairy farmer and also serves as President of the Michigan Milk Producers Association. He says, “The dairy farmers of MMPA are conscious of the need in Michigan communities to provide nutrient-rich foods — like dairy products — to those struggling with hunger.” He adds, “Milk remains one of the most requested food bank items. Therefore, we are proud to make a contribution to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to bring 876,000 servings of milk to food insecure families across the state this summer.”
The significant contribution brought June’s National Dairy Month to a close and allows Michigan food banks to provide milk – the most requested summer item – to its customers, including the many families with children in need of milk.
Founded in 1984, the Food Bank Council of Michigan was created to implement a unified strategy to address and alleviate hunger statewide. FBCM works with its regional food banks and over 3,000 hunger relief agencies, private companies, farmers, state and federal officials and other allies to make sure no Michigander goes without food. For more information about the Food Bank Council of Michigan, you can visit www.fbcmich.org or call 517.485.1202.
Founded in 1916, the MMPA is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative and dairy processor, serving approximately 2,000 dairy farms in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. Each year, MMPA supplies over a billion pounds of milk to families in Michigan, the U.S., and the world. For more information about the Michigan Milk Producers Association, you can visit www.mimilk.com or call 284.474.6672.
