New York Dairy Farmer, Ambassadors Promote ‘Refuel With Chocolate Milk’ at New York City Track & Field Center
January 15, 2026 | 3 min to read
American Dairy Association North East Shares Dairy Message with Student-Athletes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – American Dairy Association North East President Audrey Donahoe, American Dairy Association North East CEO John Chrisman, and New York State Dairy Ambassador Olivia Shawley and Associate Ambassadors Addison Brown and Serenity Conklin visited the Armory Track & Field Center for the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Officials Hall of Fame Invitational.
The partnership with the Armory is part of ADA North East’s sports marketing strategy designed to reach thousands of student-athletes with positive dairy messages and promote the recovery benefits of chocolate milk.
“Beyond the races at the Armory, I’m so impressed with everything else they’re doing – from community engagement to college prep work with the kids and families,” said Chrisman. “It all ties in with the values that our dairy farmers represent, making for a wonderful partnership.”
The invitational, one of several sponsored throughout the year by ADA North East, drew more than 4,500 students from across New York State and the Northeast, and was held in celebration of National Milk Day on Sunday, January 11.
During the two-day event, athletes were offered Hudson Valley Fresh chocolate milk and Cabot Cheese samples, courtesy of ADA North East, showcasing the role dairy plays in fueling athletic performance and recovery through its naturally occurring essential nutrients.
Donahoe and the dairy ambassadors took part in on-field activities, including presenting awards and holding the finish line tape for selected races.
“It was incredible to see dairy – especially chocolate milk – supporting young athletes at such a high-energy event,” said Donahoe. “As a dairy farmer, it’s rewarding to know that the milk we produce on our farm is helping fuel athletes on a national level.”
ADA North East also sponsors the Refuel Zone café inside The Armory, giving athletes and spectators the opportunity to purchase chocolate milk to recharge after competition – an effort that highlights the important link between local dairy farmers and athletic performance.
“Before our involvement at Armory events, milk and other dairy options weren’t available in the Refuel Zone café,” said Chrisman. “It’s exciting to see that athletes can now not only learn about the benefits of dairy but also enjoy it right at the venue.”
To learn more about ADA North East’s sports nutrition programs, click here.
About American Dairy Association North East
American Dairy Association North East (ADA North East) is the dairy farmer-funded organization funded by participating dairy farmer’s checkoff investment to build demand and sales for milk and dairy foods throughout the local region. Representing nearly 8,000 dairy farm families in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and northern Virginia, ADA North East develops and implements local programs to drive milk and dairy sales at retail outlets and in schools. The organization also conducts consumer education about dairy through events, traditional and social media, and in collaboration with health professionals through National Dairy Council®. ADA North East works closely with Dairy Management Inc.™, the national dairy checkoff organization, to support nutrition research, national partnerships and developing export markets for dairy to bring a fully integrated promotion program to the region. For more information, visit www.AmericanDairy.com.