ALAMEDA, Calif. and MODESTO, Calif. — In California, 1-in-7 people struggle with hunger[1]. Milk is one of the most-requested nutrition staples at Feeding America food banks, but facilities are only able to provide the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person each year. Today, the culmination of an effort by California's dairy families to generate milk donations to the Great American Milk Drive comes to fruition with a $100,000 Feeding America check presentation at the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
"On behalf of Feeding America-affiliated food banks throughout California, we are happy to accept this check from the California Milk Advisory Board that represents the equivalent of 20,000 gallons of milk for families in need," said Suzan Bateson, Executive Director of Alameda County Community Food Bank and board chair of the California Association of Food Banks. "Providing wholesome, nutritious milk is important to our clients' health, particularly children and seniors – our clients who are often most vulnerable to hunger. These donations are critical for us, especially during the holidays, and we appreciate the efforts of California dairy families to provide milk vouchers through the New Year, when donations tend to taper off."
The Alameda County Community Food Bank serves 116,000 unduplicated clients each month, two-thirds of which are children and seniors[2].
"Making sure all people – regardless of their circumstances – have access to healthy food options like milk is very important to California's more than 1,400 dairy farm families. Through the Great American Milk Drive, we're bringing fresh milk in the format of vouchers to needy families throughout the state," said John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board. "This time of year, when our thoughts turn to charity, we hope this effort will inspire consumers to think how far just $5 can go in providing nutritious food to members of their community."
While milk is one of the top nutritious items requested by food bank clients, it is rarely donated. The Great American Milk Drive campaign – a partnership between Feeding America, milk companies and dairy farmers – seeks to secure nutrient-rich milk for hungry families. For as little as $5, people can donate online to the Great American Milk Drive at www.MilkLife.com/Give and provide a family in-need with one gallon of wholesome milk.
About the California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's more than 1,400 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information and to connect with the CMAB through social media, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, like at Facebook.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, view videos at YouTube.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, follow at Twitter.com/RealCalifMilk and Instagram.com/RealCalifMilk and pin at Pinterest.com/RealCalifMilk.
About the Alameda County Community Food Bank
Since 1985, Alameda County Community Food Bank has been at the forefront of hunger relief efforts in the Bay Area. This year, the Food Bank will distribute the equivalent of 28 million meals. More than half of the food distributed is farm-fresh produce. The Food Bank serves 1 in 5 Alameda County residents by distributing food through a network of 240 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community organizations, as well as direct-distribution programs including Children's Backpack and Mobile Pantry. For nine consecutive years, Alameda County Community Food Bank has received Charity Navigator's top rating — Four Stars — ranking the organization among the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Learn more at www.accfb.org.
[2] http://www.accfb.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ACCFB-HungerStudy2014-smaller.pdf
Source: California Milk Advisory Board