CARLINVILLE, Ill. — During June Dairy Month, Prairie Farms Poured It On in a big way by giving back to the communities where their farm families and employees live and work. The company donated over 10,000 gallons of milk to local Feeding America food banks to help families in need and gave away hundreds of amazing dairy-packed prize packages that gave winners a chance to give back to their favorite Our Caps, Your Cause charities.
Today, Prairie Farms donated and delivered 10,500 gallons of milk (that's 168,000 servings of milk) to 21 food banks in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Twenty of the food banks are members of Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. In addition to the milk donations, Prairie Farms food bank partners earned ten cents instead of five cents throughout June for every milk cap redeemed through the company's cause marketing program, Our Caps, Your Cause.
"Dairy Month is the perfect opportunity to honor our farm families for their unwavering commitment to being good neighbors and making sure fresh, delicious and nutritious milk and dairy products are always available for millions of families to enjoy every single day," said Ed Mullins, Prairie Farms Executive Vice President and CEO. "Giving back is an important part of our heritage that began over 75 years ago. We are committed to making a difference in our communities, which is why we responded when our food bank partners told us that milk is one of the top items requested by families, but lack of resources prevents them from meeting demand. I hope our significant donation will raise awareness of the scarcity of milk in food banks and encourage others to donate as well."
The company is encouraging consumers to make donations to The Great American Milk Drive – the first ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to families struggling with hunger who need it most. Through The Great American Milk Drive, Americans can now donate much-needed milk with a simple click of a mouse (www.milklife.com/give) or text message (text "Milk" to 27722) and for as little as $5.00 it will go to a family who does not have regular access to it. By entering your zip code, you can ensure that the milk is delivered to a local Feeding America food bank in your hometown.
"This generous donation from Prairie Farms is extremely valuable for our clients who at times rely on local food banks," said Leah Ray, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America. "The more than 10,000 gallons of milk that were donated as part of this effort – along with the tens of thousands more already donated as part of The Great American Milk Drive – are helping families in communities all across the country who otherwise might go without the nutrients found in milk."
"This was a very exciting month for Prairie Farms," said Rebecca Leinenbach, Prairie Farms Sales Program Director. "Our goal was to develop a campaign to raise awareness of the need for milk in food banks and we've done just that. We will continue to encourage consumers to join The Great American Milk Drive throughout the summer and beyond."
REBECCA LEINENBACH
Tel: 314-771-4400 ext. 211
E-mail: rleinenbach@prairiefarms.com
About Prairie Farms Dairy
Headquartered in Carlinville, Ill., Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. represents over 700 farm families and is one of the largest and most successful farmer-owned dairy cooperatives in the Midwest – with annual sales of nearly $3 billion, 5,700 employees, 36 manufacturing plants and over 100 distribution facilities throughout the Midwest and South. Founded in 1938, Prairie Farms has manufactured and delivered quality dairy products from farm to family for over 75 years; achieved through a commitment from our farm families to producing the highest quality milk available – without the use of artificial growth hormones. Prairie Farms product portfolio includes a complete line of fluid milk products, cottage cheese, sour cream and dips, yogurt, half and half, whipping cream, juice and juice drinks, ice cream and novelties. Prairie Farms distribution footprint covers over 30 percent of the United States; products are available in grocery chains, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores, schools, food service outlets and warehouse distribution centers. Prairie Farms charitable giving program, Our Caps, Your Cause, supports a variety of non-profit organizations.
www.prairiefarms.com
About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.
Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.
Source: Prairie Farms Dairy
