LANSING, Mich.—Food banks across the state of Michigan will receive a new batch of milk and cheese this year, thanks to a dairy cooperative and processor, the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). MMPA celebrated its partnership with the Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) with a Valued Partner award presented today in Lansing, Michigan during MMPA’s annual meeting.
“Our partnership with the Food Bank Council of Michigan began in 2015 and has resulted in thousands of families in Michigan receiving fresh milk—one of the most requested and nutrient rich food bank items,” Ken Nobis, MMPA president and dairy farmer said.
During the award presentation, MMPA announced a donation of 150 gallons of milk and 50 pounds of cheese per day for an entire year to the FBCM. The Kroger Company of Michigan is donating the processing and packaging of the milk at their Michigan Dairy plant in Livonia, Michigan. The cheese comes from MMPA’s subsidiary brand, Heritage Ridge Creamery, based in Middlebury, Indiana.
“We are grateful for the council’s hunger relief efforts in helping our neighbors,” Nobis said. “Today, we honor the organization with our Valued Partner award and look forward to our continued partnership with another donation in 2019.”
Food banks need fresh food like milk and cheese to support Michigan residents, one of seven of which struggle with hunger. FBCM is made up of member regional food banks in the state of Michigan. Through their distribution network, the donated dairy products will reach all 83 counties of Michigan.
“Partnerships are the key to ending food insecurity in Michigan,” said Phil Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. “MMPA and its members are one of our most valued partners. Their significant contributions of fresh, wholesome milk is vital, especially for our children.”
The announcements were made at MMPA’s 103rd Annual Meeting in Lansing, Michigan. Approximately 400 dairy farmer members and guests gathered at the meeting today to discuss the current dairy industry, recognize members, adopt policy resolutions and elect board members.
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About Michigan Milk Producers Association:
The Michigan MilkProducers Association (MMPA) is a dairy farmer owned cooperative founded in 1916. MMPA serves approximately 1,600 dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, handling approximately 5 billion pounds of milk annually. MMPA operates two SQF Level 3 certified manufacturing plants in Michigan and a cheese plant in Indiana. Products made at MMPA’s plants include butter, non-fat dry milk, whole milk powder, cream and condensed skim milk.
About the Food Bank Council of Michigan
Founded in 1984, the Food Bank Council of Michigan was created to implement a unified strategy to address and alleviate hunger statewide. FBCM works with its regional food banks and over 3,000 hunger relief agencies, private companies, farmers, state and federal officials and other allies to make sure no Michigander goes without food. For more information about the Food Bank Council of Michigan, visit www.fbcmich.org or call 517.485.1202.
About The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Incorporated in Michigan in 1909 and headquartered in Novi, The Kroger Co. of Michigan operates 121 Kroger stores, 78 fuel centers, 103 pharmacies and the Michigan Dairy. Michigan Kroger’s 18,000 associates are dedicated to the Kroger Purpose: to FEED the Human Spirit, by serving the region through food, inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.
Photo cutline: MMPA presented the Food Bank Council of Michigan with the 2019 Valued partner award at the MMPA Annual Meeting on March 14, 2019 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan. Pictured from left: MMPA President Ken Nobis, MMPA CEO Joe Diglio and FBCM Executive Director Phil Knight.
