Food banks short of #milk supply

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That gallon of milk you consider a staple in your refrigerator is missing in Iowa’s food banks.

According to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet there is a nationwide shortage because it is rarely donated.

In an effort to reverse the trend, Feeding America and America’s milk companies and dairy farmers, including the Midwest Dairy Council, have created The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most.

To help celebrate June Dairy Month, Gov. Terry Branstad is raising awareness of the milk shortages in food banks and the need for better access to fresh milk in America’s feeding programs. To honor the importance of milk in a daily diet and the Iowa dairy industry’s commitment to the state’s health, the governor officially proclaimed June “Dairy Month” in Iowa.

Childhood Hunger in Summer Months

Hunger impacts one in eighth Iowans across the state. While the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program supply nutritious meals to children during the school year, these federal programs cannot reach children during out-of-school times.

Food banks serve an especially critical role in ensuring children get the food and proper nutrition they need, providing nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables and much-needed milk. Iowa Dairy Month is an ideal time to join The Great American Milk Drive and help get fresh, nutritious milk to hungry children and families.

The Great American Milk Drive is made possible by the nation’s dairy farmers and milk companies. The goal of the campaign is to deliver two million gallons of milk to food banks across the country, and Iowa residents can help meet that goal.

Nourishing Our Nation – The Need Is Greater Than Ever

Many Americans are pressured financially due to a convergence of economic stresses – which means more people are turning to their local food bank for help. Compared to four years ago, one million more people are seeking emergency food assistance from the Feeding America network each week. Increasingly, food banks have introduced nutrition criteria for the meals served to clients. More than two-thirds of the groceries distributed by the Feeding America network meet Feeding America’s “Foods To Encourage” guideline, based on the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines, which include a serving of milk.

A network survey of Feeding America food banks revealed that 94 percent of respondents are actively working on improving the nutritional quality of meals provided to food bank clients. Yet, 95 percent of those surveyed say they do not receive enough milk to meet the demand. The number one reason cited is inadequate milk donations.

Milk tops the list of the food items most requested by food bank participants (85 percent), followed by fresh fruits (77 percent) and fresh vegetables (74 percent). While several recent initiatives have focused on getting more produce into feeding programs, The Great American Milk Drive is the first program to help resolve the milk shortage.

“Getting nutritious milk to food insecure families in Iowa is so important,” said Molly Pelzer, registered dietitian with the Midwest Dairy Council. “Together we can help the more than 390,000 food insecure people in Iowa get the nutrition they need and truly make this the healthiest state.”

Feeding America, whose network includes more than 200 food banks, is encouraging Americans to join The Great American Milk Drive to help provide the much-needed milk to food banks in their area. By visiting www.MilkLife.com/give, you can learn more about the need for more nutritious foods like milk in America’s food banks and how a small donation can make a significant impact.

Source: Globe Gazzette

Mirá También

Así lo expresó Domingo Possetto, secretario de la seccional Rafaela, quien además, afirmó que a los productores «habitualmente los ignoran los gobiernos». Además, reconoció la labor de los empresarios de las firmas locales y aseguró que están «esperanzados» con la negociación entre SanCor y Adecoagro.

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