SCHOHARIE CO., N.Y. — Fourteen food banks located in Schoharie County have received 298 coupons, each for one gallon of milk, from the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.  Spearheaded by Schoharie County Farm Bureau with the help of Cazenovia Equipment Company and New York Farm Bureau, they donated $750 to purchase the milk coupons for the pantries.  Dairy Farmers of America Foundation matched the donation with another $750, bringing the total of $1,500 worth of fresh milk that will be distributed to families in need throughout Schoharie County.

This project began last June to celebrate “June is Dairy Month”, but it took on a life of its own as support grew. The money for the coupons was forwarded to Feeding America, a not-for-profit organization in charge of purchasing and distributing the coupons to the Regional Food Bank.

“This project was originally conceived to celebrate Dairy Month, but it took time to secure greater donations to be able to purchase more milk,” said John Radliff, Schoharie County Farm Bureau President. “We never lost sight of our goal, to help people in our community.”

After nearly eight months, Schoharie County Farm Bureau confirmed that all 14 food pantries in the county have received the milk coupons.

“In the last couple of years, it’s been difficult for farmers who have faced low prices for milk and high costs of operating our farms.  However, it is important to step back and look at our neighbors who may be struggling as well.  We choose to farm. We know the difficulties, but we  are still able to put milk on the table for our children and grandchildren.  There are families out there who aren’t as fortunate, and we have to take the time to get outside our farms’ fences and support what’s happening in the rest of our community,” said Radliff.

—Schoharie County Farm Bureau

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