ADANE Coordinates Distribution of 200,000+ Gallons of Milk During June

This week, American Dairy Association North East helped facilitate milk distributions in Pennsylvania with 6,000 gallons of milk made available through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) – as part of the more than 200,000 gallons slated for distribution during National Dairy Month. Local dairy farmers volunteered at the milk drives to ensure families’ access to wholesome, nutritious milk.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program and National Dairy Board member Jennifer Heltzel of Piney-Mar Farm, Martinsburg, Pa., participated in Wednesday’s milk drive in central Pennsylvania. They distributed 2,000 gallons of milk purchased from Schneider’s Dairy.

“These milk drives are especially important in rural America because of the senior citizen population — they are the hidden face of food insecurity,â€_x009d_ said Heltzel, adding that the majority of the people that drove through fell into that category. “It’s so important that we can provide nourishment to all people who need it.â€_x009d_

On Thursday, ADA North East facilitated a milk drive in Philadelphia where more than 4,000 gallons of milk from Harrisburg Dairies was purchased through CFAP. The Pennsylvania State Dairy Princesses were on hand to help distribute the milk and greet patrons.

New York

In New York this week, ADA North East coordinated the distribution of 40,000 gallons of milk purchased from Dairy Farmers of America and Upstate Niagara Cooperative through CFAP. Dairy farmers Judi Whittaker of Whittaker Farms, Whitney Point, N.Y., along with Debbie Lawton and Chelsie Fuller of Lawton Jersey Farm in Middlefield, N.Y., participated in the event in Tioga County.

“When the pandemic first hit, it was shocking that people couldn’t get the food that we farmers were still producing because of the supply chain issues,â€_x009d_ said Whittaker. “These families will now be able to stretch their food dollars that they would have spent on dairy to buy meat and fresh fruits and vegetables. Everyone was so appreciative today, and it feels good to know we could help them.â€_x009d_

Watch Whittaker’s television interview on Binghamton’s FOX 40.

Other New York drive-through locations this week took place in Utica, Oswego, Clayton and Owego, in addtion to deliveries and distributions through the Salvation Army in Syracuse and several food banks in Long Island City.

Milk Distribution Support

Milk drive events continue to be planned and facilitated by ADA North East throughout the region for the rest of the summer. If dairy farmers are interested in helping coordinate a large local milk drive, ADA North East may be able to help. Please visit the contact us page to request more information. ADA North East is available to help plan a distribution event including logistics, signage and promotion. Just fill out the form on the website and an ADA North East staff member will be in contact.