FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2020
Contact:
Rebecca Egsieker
770-842-2046
[email protected]
Milk purchasing initiative brings nutrient-dense fluid milk to the community’s food insecure.
MARYVILLE, TN (June 18, 2020) — During these unprecedented times, it’s important to ensure local families in need have milk on their table, which is one of the most requested, yet least donated items at food banks. Now, Tennesseans who struggle to buy nutritious foods for their families will have greater access to fresh Tennessee-produced milk thanks to a $20,000 purchasing initiative to The Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, which serves 18 counties in East Tennessee.
"We are so grateful for the Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee, The Dairy Alliance, the Randy Davis Memorial Milk Fund and Mayfield Dairy for their support of Second Harvest during these uncertain times,” Elaine Streno, Executive Director of The Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee said. “Without their contribution, fresh milk would not be an option for thousands of East Tennessee families. It is such a treat to offer milk as an option for our agencies to have in their pantries. We cannot say thank you enough for this generous gift!"
Through the Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee, Second Harvest, The Randy Davis Memorial Milk Fund, Mayfield Dairy and others, $20,000 will go towards purchasing and donating half gallons of fluid milk to Tennessee’s food banks, ensuring more families in the community have access to fresh milk.
“It’s so special to see milk go from my own farm to Mayfield and then on to those in need,” said dairy farmer Sam Craun. “The amount of support from Mayfield, the Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee and the local community has been tremendous. I appreciate the Loudon High School class of 1977 for purchasing the truckload of school milk when the pandemic first hit.”
The Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee is proud to help provide fresh milk to families in this time of need while building strong relationships between the local food banks and producers that will sustain future purchases of real milk.
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About Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to compassionately feed the hungry since 1982. In FY19, Second Harvest distributed 20 million pounds of food across 18 East Tennessee counties. Through feeding programs and 550+ nonprofit partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee provides food to more than 143,000 children, adults and seniors each month. For more information, please visit secondharvestetn.org.
About the Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee
The Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee is comprised of 11 dairy farmer members that oversee farmer funded promotion of milk and milk products across the state of Tennessee.