Skip to content

Fraser Valley dairy farmers donate $100,000 in milk to food banks

Donation kicks off Hunger Awareness Week, Sept. 21 to 25
88509chilliwacktimesKooymanFarm091815-725
The rotary milking parlour at Canada's largest dairy farm owned by Chilliwack Cattle Sales during the annual CEPCO agriculture tour held on Sept. 18.

The Mainland Milk Producers Association (MMPA) announced Monday that Fraser Valley dairy farmers are donating $100,000 worth of milk to food banks in Chilliwack, Mission and Abbotsford.

The donation comes on day one of Hunger Awareness Week in Canada, Sept. 21 to 25.

The MMPA donation will provide fresh milk for up to a year. The funding will support up to 485 families and Surrey’s Tiny Bundles Program. Families will receive jugs of fresh two per cent milk and Surrey’s Tiny Bundles Program will receive one litre jugs of homogenized and one per cent milk for toddlers and expectant mothers.

The one-year commitment will facilitate long-term planning and scheduling for the food banks to ensure that the milk goes out to families that need it the most. The donation has been organized by the MMPA, a regional dairy association of about 350 dairy farmers who farm between Chilliwack and Delta.

Holger Schwichtenberg, president of the Mainland Milk Producers Association is pleased to announce this initiative for local families in need: “We looked at several different charitable organizations. The idea of donating actual milk to Fraser Valley food banks resonated with our members; after all, milk is what dairy farming is all about. As we’re closely tied to the communities that drink our milk, we’re honoured to be able to provide milk to local families in need.”

Food Banks BC Executive Director Laura Lansink is also excited about the donation.

“Fresh milk is so appreciated by the children and families that need assistance from their local food bank. When you consider that one of every three food bank users is a child, you can see why this donation of fresh milk will make such a big impact.”