American Dairy Association North East and local dairy farmers are partnering with anti-hunger advocate groups across the region to support the USDA Summer Meals program. The program helps ensure children continue to have access to healthy meals with dairy when school is out for the summer.
Families who rely on free or reduced-cost school meals can get the nutrition they need thanks to the feeding program’s hundreds of meal sites available throughout local communities. According to Feeding America, nearly 6 million people, including one in every five to eight children, experience food insecurity in ADA North East’s six-state region.
“Dairy farmers know that hunger doesn’t take a break in the summer, and that’s why checkoff supports the Summer Meals program on their behalf,” said ADA North East CEO John Chrisman. “We’re so fortunate to partner with the many organizations that make sure families have a consistent source for dairy and healthy foods when school is out.”
“As a first-grade teacher and mom of four, I know students rely on school meals to be at their best throughout the day, and that’s why having access to healthy options in the summer is so critical,” said Nicole Ansell of PA-A+Plus Holsteins at Marburger Farm Dairy in Evans City, Pa. “And as a dairy farming family, we are proud to produce such a safe, nutritious and delicious product and to promote programs like Summer Meals to ensure no child goes without a meal.”
Summer Meals are free for children 18 years and younger. No registration or paperwork is required. USDA’s site finder is available here.
So far this summer, other dairy farmers who have participated in kickoff events include Terry Snoddy of Snoddy Farms, Allenwood, Pa., in Turbotville, Pa., and Steve Harnish of Central Manor Dairy, Washington Boro, Pa., in Philadelphia. An additional six events are planned for later this summer.
Dairy farmer Steve Harnish of Central Manor Dairy, Washington Boro, Pa., speaks on behalf of all dairy farmers at the Philadelphia Summer Meals kickoff event. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is standing to the left.
Liam Ansell from PA-A+Plus Holsteins at Marburger Dairy, Evans City, Pa., shows Pittsburgh Steeler Christian Kuntz his calf at the Pittsburgh Summer Meals Kickoff event. Kuntz spoke about the importance of a healthy diet with milk and dairy foods as a child and as a professional athlete.
Dairy farmer Nicole Ansell from PA-A+Plus Holsteins at Marburger Dairy, Evans City, Pa., speaks at the Pittsburgh Summer Meals kickoff event to promote milk and dairy foods as part of the meals served.