California Dairy and Raley's Team Up Against Food Insecurity
In California, over 1.8 million households struggle with food insecurity. In response, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has partnered with Raley's Food For Families for the fourth consecutive year to address this issue. As part of National Dairy Month in June, this collaboration seeks to distribute milk and dairy products to families in need throughout the state.
The CMAB will match customer donations made to the Food For Families program, both in-store and online, up to $35,000. This effort is aimed at supplying California dairy products to various feeding programs. The campaign, under the banner 'Do Good with Dairy,' will be promoted through in-store and digital channels to raise awareness.
According to California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, collaborations like these are crucial in addressing nutritional challenges. She stated, 'Even in the most productive agricultural state in the nation, families can struggle with food insecurity and nutritional challenges.' The initiative highlights the significance of fresh, nutritious dairy products.
JNM Dairy's Nicole Morris emphasized the importance of making milk and dairy accessible, noting its affordability and nutritional benefits. The partnership will distribute milk donations to 12 food banks, including the Alameda County Community Food Bank and the Central California Food Bank, among others.
Jessica Vaughan, CEO of Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, praised the CMAB and Raley's partnership, highlighting the impact of providing dairy products to communities. Raley's Food For Families, since its inception in 1986, has provided millions of meals to local families, with Raley's covering all administrative costs to maximize donation impact.
Zoe Edwards, Operations Manager for Raley's Food For Families, stated that dairy is one of the most in-demand food groups and stressed the importance of ensuring access to it. The Real California Milk CADAIRY4GOOD platform supports these efforts by increasing access to nourishing dairy foods through various partnerships and pilot programs.
California, being the leading dairy state, is home to family dairy farms committed to delivering quality milk while focusing on sustainable practices. The CMAB, funded by the state's dairy farm families, aims to increase demand for California's dairy products both domestically and globally.
