California Dairy Farmers and Raley's Food for Families Deliver Milk and Dairy Foods to Families Facing Food Insecurity

TRACY, Calif. — In California, over 3 million households face food insecurity. In honor of June as National Dairy Month, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced a partnership with Raley's Food For Families program to deliver milk and dairy foods to nourish families in need.

Throughout the month of June, California dairy farmers, through the CMAB, will match customer in-store and online Food For Families donations dollar-for-dollar (up to $30,000) to provide California dairy products to feeding programs. Prompts with the "Do Good with Dairy" message will be shared through in-store signage and digital communications to alert consumers to the initiative. Part of the Real California Milk CADAIRY4GOOD program and Raley's Food For Families charitable organization, the partnership is part of an ongoing commitment from both to providing resources to food banks and feeding programs to increase access to nutritious foods.

"Despite California's leading position worldwide in food production, far too many people here are food insecure, and we must change that,” said California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “I applaud the efforts of the California Milk Advisory Board and Raley's to help feed hungry families."

"As a California dairy farmer, it's important that all families have access to milk, one of the most nutritious foods available," said Maureen Lemos, who, with her husband, dairies in the Waterford area. "This partnership not only provides valuable resources where they are needed most, it also helps to raise awareness of the importance of dairy foods for nourishing families and communities."

Milk donations will be distributed to 12 Food For Family partner food banks — Alameda County Community Food Bank, Central California Food Bank, Food Bank for Monterey County, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Placer Food Bank, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest of the Greater Valley and Yolo Food Bank.

"Currently, folks experiencing hunger is at an all-time high,” said Blake Young, president/CEO at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. “Milk donations our community will receive thanks to the charitable efforts of Raley's and California's dairy families are truly a blessing. We are grateful for this wonderful support."

With help from customers, vendors and Raley's team members, Raley's Food For Families has provided millions of meals to local families. Raley's absorbs all administrative costs, maximizing the impact of every donation.

"We are excited to partner with Real California Milk to bring dairy products to our food bank partners," said Zoe Edwards, Raley's Food For Families operations specialist. "Year-around we accept donations to Food For Families to help alleviate hunger in our communities. Dairy is an important food group, providing nutrients and additional sources of protein to our food bank partners and their clients."

The CADAIRY4GOOD platform focuses on increasing access to nourishing dairy foods for individuals and families throughout California through partnerships to pilot programs to deliver product and refrigeration resources to the state's food banks and feeding programs.