Rochester, NH – New England dairy farmers brought holiday cheer to the Greater Seacoast area. In partnership with New England Dairy, local dairy farmers and Oakhurst Dairy donated 200 gallons of milk to Gather of Portsmouth, NH to distribute to families in need.
Many local families continue to feel the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Feeding America, 94,450 people in New Hampshire are struggling with hunger – and 24,360 of them are children. That’s 1 in 11 kids struggling with hunger. Holidays can be especially difficult for families facing hunger, which is why Tuesday’s dairy donation was critical in providing a nutritious product for local families.
For over 200 years, Gather has been serving seacoast residents facing hunger by providing nutritious food through innovative distribution programs. Tuesday’s milk donation was distributed through the Mobile Market Program, a free farmer’s market style shopping experience that distributes food to families in several locations throughout the Greater Seacoast area.
“Gather is very grateful for this collaborative opportunity,” said Seneca Bernard, Director of External Partnerships at Gather. “Milk is often requested by our members across the Greater Seacoast, and a great source of protein. With this donation, we are able to ensure hundreds of kids and families will receive this much sought-after item.”
Milk remains one of the most requested, yet least donated items at American food banks according to Feeding America. Providing a unique package of 13 essential nutrients, milk is a nutritional powerhouse for individuals, families, and children in need. Today’s milk donation is made possible by New Hampshire dairy farm families and local dairy processors who strive to support their communities.
“At Oakhurst, our longstanding commitment to giving back to the communities we service has led us to focus on ending hunger,” explained Mark Page, General Manager of Oakhurst Dairy. “Access to nutritious, healthy meals is so important in positioning children for greater success. We are glad to have the opportunity to partner with these great organizations to make milk available to these families.”
Dairy farms are the lifeblood of many communities throughout New England, creating jobs, investing in the local economy, and supporting childhood health and education. They strive to ensure their neighbors in need are nourished, especially around the holidays, as they work to make sure all families have a cold glass of milk to pair with their cookies.
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ABOUT NEW ENGLAND DAIRY
New England Dairy (NED) is a non-profit education organization based in Boston that serves as a voice of dairy farmers in New England and Eastern New York. We champion these dairy farm families and the nutritious foods they produce by connecting people to dairy farms, supporting youth wellness in schools, and delivering the latest nutrition and sustainability science to educators, health professionals, scientists, and media. NED is a state and regional affiliate of the National Dairy Council® (NDC).
ABOUT GATHER
For 200 years, Gather has been serving Seacoast residents facing hunger. The agency was founded in 1816 by a small group of women committed to feeding the families of fishermen. Today, Gather is committed to ending local hunger through collaboration and leadership. Gather serves people in the community experiencing hunger by providing nutritious food through innovative distribution programs and our Pantry Market. Gather offers nutrition education and recipes for healthy living and collaborates with community partners to address the root causes of hunger throughout the Seacoast in NH and ME.
ABOUT OAKHURST DAIRY
Oakhurst is Northern New England’s leading dairy brand and has stood behind every glass of milk and product for 100 years. While the FDA states there is no significant difference between milk from cows treated with artificial growth hormone, Oakhurst made history in 2003 when it asked its milk producers to take America’s First Farmer’s pledge not to use artificial growth hormone. Today, Oakhurst remains committed to the well-being of its community through its Giving Goodness charitable donations to local organizations that support healthy, active kids and a healthy environment. The company produces milk and other dairy and juice products from its headquarters on Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine. In January 2014, Oakhurst became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dairy Farmers of America, a dairy farmer-owned cooperative based in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, visit oakhurstdairy.com