Dairy checkoff programs in Michigan and Florida are helping close nutrition gaps and expand access to nutritious dairy foods.
For dairy farmers, nourishing communities goes well beyond producing milk. In Michigan and Florida, dairy farmers are helping put nutritious food within reach for families facing food and nutrition insecurity.
Across both states, food banks are distributing millions of pounds of dairy foods to families facing food insecurity.
- Florida: Food banks distributed more than 22.6 million pounds of dairy foods in the first six months of 2026, surpassing the nearly 14 million pounds distributed in all of 2025. The increase highlights growing efforts to expand dairy access statewide.
- Michigan: The state’s food banks distributed more than 24.3 million pounds of dairy in 2025 and more than 8 million pounds during the first half of 2026. Distribution is expected to increase significantly in the second half of 2026, driven by fall dairy donation initiatives and community activations.
Behind these numbers are dairy farmers and community partners working to help families access the nutritious foods they need.
Connecting food banks with dairy nutrition
Milk, cheese and yogurt provide high-quality protein and 13 essential nutrients that support health throughout life. Yet for families experiencing food insecurity, fresh dairy foods can be difficult to access consistently.
“This program brings food banks, dairy cooperatives, processors, partners and key stakeholders together to tackle hunger,” says Teresa Moran-Wiebe, UDIM and FDF Vice President, Health & Wellness. “Our mission is to help ensure families visiting food banks have access to nourishing dairy foods, regardless of their circumstances.”
Extending dairy’s reach beyond food banks
While food bank partnerships are central to these efforts, UDIM and FDF also support additional initiatives that connect families with nutritious dairy foods.
Community milk drives give consumers a direct way to support families facing food insecurity. In the spring and fall, Busch’s Fresh Food Market milk drives encourage Michigan shoppers to donate milk in-store or online, helping local food banks provide fresh dairy to families in need. For instance, this fall’s milk drive donated 52,329 gallons to area food banks.
The dairy checkoff also offers grants to help schools and community organizations provide more nutritious dairy options to students. Programs include Moola for Schools, Smart Swaps and Fueling Stations for Afterschool Programs.
Together, these efforts help bring dairy nutrition into more communities, reaching families where they live, learn and gather.
Building stronger communities through dairy
“Dairy farmers care deeply about the people and communities they serve,” says Wiebe. “When families face difficult times, access to nutritious foods shouldn’t be another challenge. By working together to put more dairy on the table, we’re helping meet an immediate need while building a lasting appreciation for the role dairy plays in supporting good health.”
For more information about FDF and UDIM, visit floridamilk.com and milkmeansmore.org.
The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) is dedicated to serving Michigan’s hard-working dairy farm families and promoting Michigan’s locally produced dairy products. UDIM is the umbrella organization for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council of Michigan. These non-profit organizations provide dairy product promotion and nutrition education services on behalf of their funding members.
Florida Dairy Farmers (FDF) represents the state’s hardworking dairy farm families who locally produce more than 300 million gallons of fresh milk each year. FDF works to strengthen the reputation of dairy as a nutritious and sustainable food while building trust and increasing consumption among consumers. FDF also operates the Dairy Council of Florida; a non-profit organization committed to providing science-based education about the nutrition and health benefits that dairy foods provide.
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