Maryland Dairy Farmer, Dairy Princess Kick Off 'Great American Milk Drive

The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Shelby Green, herd manager from Coldsprings Farm, New Windsor, Md., and Maryland Dairy Princess Ellie Feaga joined ADA North East and the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) to kick off the Great American Milk Drive™ at a Safeway retail store in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 8.

Shoppers are asked to make a cash donation at checkout in one of Safeway’s 113 stores that will be used by local food banks through Feeding America® to buy milk for families in need. Last year’s Safeway Great American Milk Drive raised nearly $400,000 to get about 96,000 gallons of milk to local families.

“I always enjoy being a part of events like this to connect with communities and retailers,” said Green. “It’s a great way to remind consumers where their food comes from and reinforces what we do on the farm, and also why we love doing what we do to help feed local families.”

Green also participated in a “milk relay race” for a media event at the kickoff, where she competed against former Washington Football Team player Tim Hightower and a cow mascot. Hightower participated through the Fuel Up to Play 60 partnership with the National Football League, to encourage shoppers to support the Great American Milk Drive.

Dairy farmer Shelby Green from Coldsprings Farm in New Windsor, Md., Maryland Dairy Princess Ellie Feaga, and former Washington Football Team player Tim Hightower participate in a media event to kick off the Great American Milk Drive in a Washington, D.C., Safeway retail store.

American Dairy Association North East has engaged other retailers to focus on providing milk for consumers in need during National Dairy Month. Matt Hoff, owner of Coldsprings Farm, also supports dairy checkoff’s efforts to get milk to local families. He can be seen in a video in 23 Shoppers Food & Pharmacy stores to promote the Fill a Glass with Hope® campaign.

Fill a Glass of Hope was initiated in 2015 by Pennsylvania dairy farmers in partnership ADA North East, PA Dairymen’s Association and Feeding Pennsylvania. More than 21 million servings of milk have been distributed in Pennsylvania to-date. ADA North East also expanded the program into New York in last year, and New York dairy princesses raised $7,270 to contribute to the campaign.

In addition, ADA North East president and dairy farmer Audrey Donahoe from ATRASS Farm, Clayville, N.Y., will participate in a live Q&A session on Facebook with Price Chopper Fill in a Fill a Glass with Hope campaign in 133 stores. In 196 Weis Markets stores, consumers will hear a public service announcement encouraging shoppers to donate from dairy farmer Amanda Condo of Paul R. Dotterer and Sons Dairy, Mill Hall, Pa.

“Dairy farmers’ support of these hunger relief programs demonstrates their commitment to ensuring all families have access to the safe, nutritious product they produce every day,” said ADA North East CEO Rick Naczi.

For more information about ADA North East’s hunger relief programs, visit AmericanDairy.com, or call 315.472.9143.