June is National Dairy Month, and Midwest Dairy and the farmers it represents — in partnership with Rosemont, Ill.-based Dairy Management Inc. — will be implementing events and programs across the region to raise awareness and milk donations for those in need. They will also be having conversations with consumers about the important nutrients found in dairy and working to drive dairy demand by opening up new channels for dairy sales, Midwest Dairy, St. Paul, Minn., said.

Planned events and programs include:

• A partnership among Midwest Dairy, Dierbergs Markets and Operation Food Search in St. Louis to reduce the risk of children going undernourished this summer by driving dairy donations. On June 1, the Real Love Convoy will kick off National Dairy Month at Dierbergs Markets at the Des Peres store location, Midwest Dairy said. This event, which is one of a variety of convoys happening nationwide, will feature a festival atmosphere with opportunities for consumers to talk with farmers and registered dietitians about the benefits of dairy.
• Milk2My Plate, a program that provides a supply of fresh milk to food pantries at a consistent, affordable price. Last year, food banks purchased more than 347,000 pounds of milk and distributed to families in need, and 20 local food pantries received refrigeration grants from Midwest Dairy to keep the milk stored at proper temperature.
• The Pints to Gallons campaign, a program under which schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60, Midwest Dairy’s in-school health and wellness program, take an active role in giving back to their community by donating funds to the local food bank. The funds are used to purchase milk for families in need, Midwest Dairy said. Just this year, five Nebraska schools raised more than $11,000 for this worthy cause. This program is now being replicated across the country and is tapping into a new channel for dairy sales.
• Annual open houses In South Dakota hosted by Doug Ode of Royalwood Farms and Greg Moes of MoDak Dairy. They will be collecting donations at each event to donate to Feeding South Dakota.
• The Chicago Bears 100 Celebration Weekend June 8-9, where Midwest Dairy farmers will have meaningful conversations with consumers. This event will welcome thousands of guests, providing a unique opportunity at the Midwest Dairy sponsored event booth to share dairy nutrition and sustainability messages and develop relationships to help increase dairy demand. Booth visitors will also learn more about the prevalence of hunger in their communities and leave with a call to action to donate at GiveAGallon.com, Midwest Dairy said.