Let’s talk about milk, and hunger

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — We may not all know this, but hunger is the world’s #1 health risk. Hunger is not just a “world” issue, it happens right here in America. 1 in 6 adults faces hunger and in children, the number is even higher, 1 in 5. These statistics are relevant in Illinois and even in Kane County. Our neighbors are hungry. Meanwhile, farm commodity prices, especially milk prices, have fallen dramatically.

While items donated to food banks, food pantries, and other organizations existing to help feed communities vary throughout the year, one of most infrequently donated – but highly available commodities, is milk. It is often overlooked as a donation, but is desperately needed.

Through Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for ALL” program, the Northern Illinois Food Bank earmarks all cash donations from our members to their award winning “Milk2MyPlate” program. The Food Bank program surpassed 5 million servings of milk in 2015, but in this time of historically low dairy prices, we’d like to do more; more to support local dairy farms, and more to provide hunger relief.

On Tuesday, September 18 the Kane County Farm Bureau will host a 7 pm meeting for interested parties, members, the local community, food bank and pantry representatives and others to discuss a programs or strategies to spur milk consumption and milk donations to local agencies. All those interested in reducing hunger and increasing awareness of milk consumption and healthy eating are invited to attend.

Attendees will be asked to work together to address local hunger awareness and relief and recommend to the Farm Bureau how milk can be donated, and the manner in which to approach its acquisition and channels of distribution.

Please RSVP by calling 630-584-8660 or emailing steve@kanecfb.com. The meeting will be held at the Kane County Farm Bureau, located at 2N710 Randall Road, St. Charles, IL 60174. (Randall @ Oak) Light refreshments will be served.

— Kane County Farm Bureau

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