U.S. Dairy Companies Donate Nearly 15,000 Meals to Reduce Hunger in Southern Wisconsin

The IDFA Foundation and several leading Wisconsin-based dairy companies donated 156 cases of American and Cheddar cheese and $7,000 to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin today to help reduce hunger across the region.

The donation was announced during a three-hour service event at Second Harvest Foodbank, where 25 dairy industry volunteers packed and sorted food for distribution to local families and individuals ahead of the 2026 IDFA Leadership Symposium. Altogether, the dairy food donation, financial contributions and volunteer service will help provide the equivalent of nearly 15,000 meals for people facing hunger in Southern Wisconsin.

Organized by the IDFA Foundation and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the service event brought together dairy leaders to support Second Harvest’s work to provide nutritious food to neighbors across its service area. The donated cheese and food packed during the service event will be distributed through the organization’s network of 300 partner food pantries and programs throughout its 16-county southwestern Wisconsin service area.

Generous donations were made possible by the IDFA Foundation and the following IDFA members:

• Winona Foods, which donated 156 cases, or 3,720 pounds, of American and Cheddar cheese and provided financial support
• Organic Valley, which provided financial support
• Galloway Company, which provided financial support

To see photos from the service event and donation presentation, please visit here.

The IDFA Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit that seeks to make an important contribution to people and communities on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry by providing grants that reduce hunger, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance the welfare of people working in food manufacturing. The Foundation, supported in large part by contributions from U.S. dairy companies, has provided more than 1.1 million meals to food-insecure people in the U.S. and around the world since 2022.

“June Dairy Month is a fitting time for dairy leaders to come together in service and help expand access to nutritious dairy foods for neighbors facing hunger,” said Andrew Jerome, executive director of the IDFA Foundation. “As we gather in Madison for the IDFA Leadership Symposium, we are proud to partner with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Winona Foods, Organic Valley and Galloway Company on today’s donation, which reflects the dairy industry’s commitment to nourishing people and strengthening the communities where we live and work.”

Second Harvest and its network of 300 local food pantries and programs support the nearly 147,000 people throughout southwestern Wisconsin who are considered food insecure, including 40,000 children under 18. Each year, the network distributes more than 25 million pounds of food to its neighbors.

“Meeting the needs of those facing hunger is only possible when we all work together,” said Michelle Orge, President & Executive Director of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. “We’re incredibly grateful to the IDFA Foundation for their dedication to making our community stronger through their gifts of food, time and funds.”

To learn more about the work of the IDFA Foundation, visit www.idfafoundation.org.