Agricultural News
Got Milk? June is National Dairy Month
Thu, 18 Jun 2015 18:17:20 CDT
June is Dairy Month, so it's time to celebrate all things dairy from milk to ice cream. Dairy MAX, which represents more than 900 dairy farm families across Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and southwest Kansas have held numerous events this month to promote dairy.
This month, dairy farmers are giving back through their "Passion for Pints" blood drive. Dairy MAX will support over 200 blood drives in the month of June for the four-state region. Dairy MAX spokesperson Susan Allen said for each person that donates blood, Dairy MAX is providing milk and dairy products to donors. Each pint of blood donated can save three lives.
Dairy MAX has also been working with the Region Food Bank of Oklahoma in helping provide milk to the needy. Allen said milk simply is one of those items that is rarely donated to food banks because it's perishable and it's bulky. That's why the dairy industry created the "Great American Milk Drive". By donating at least $5 dollars, that donation is sent to a local food bank, which provides those in need with a coupon for a gallon of milk at the grocery store.
"The reason that's important, is because people that participate, that rely on food banks and a lot of those are kids, they get on average one gallon of milk a year, because we don't give milk," Allen said. "The Great American Milk Drive was created to help fill that nutrient gap, help fill that milk gap and put some milk in refrigerators of our Oklahomans neighbors that need it the most."
This is part of a national effort, but not matter where you live, this allows supporters to provide milk to food banks in their home state. Allen said the effort has also gotten the attention of extension groups have adopted the program because this connects agriculture more closely with consumers.
Dairy MAX also works to engage more with milk lovers. Recently Dairy MAX hosted 20 registered dieticians from Oklahoma City and this summer they will host children of family physicians for a dairy farm tours. This allows participants to see dairy cows and see how dairy products go from the farm to the grocery store. Allen said they also talk about the nutritional benefits of milk and milk's role in a healthy diet.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with Susan Allen to talk about this experience. Click or tap on the LISTENER below to hear the full interview.
Susan Allen will be joining Hays for the weekly "In the Field" report on KWTV News 9 in the Oklahoma City market on Saturday morning at 6:40 a.m.
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