Virginia Farm Credit Organizations Team Up to Provide Grant for Statewide Dairy Initiative for Food Banks
January marked the launch of the Milk for Good campaign, Virginia’s first dairy purchase program for food banks. The initiative was funded by a $50,000 grant provided by Farm Credit of the Virginias, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, and Colonial Farm Credit.
The grant allowed the pilot Milk for Good program to supply food banks across the state with fresh, local milk for six months. The goal of the initiative is to provide patrons of Virginia food banks with access to milk and the calcium, protein, vitamin D, and other valuable nutrients it provides.
“Time and again, our partners at Farm Credit have stepped up to the plate and supported our work in meaningful ways,” said Federation of Virginia Food Banks Executive Director, Eddie Oliver. “With Farm Credit’s generous gift, we are putting locally processed milk in the homes of food insecure families across the Commonwealth for the very first time.”
Tom Truitt, CEO of MidAtlantic Farm Credit, said, “We are proud to partner with the Federation of Virginia Food Banks and our fellow Farm Credit colleagues to launch the Milk for Good program. With dairy being one of the most in-demand items for food banks, we are excited to be a part of ensuring Virginia families in need receive access to milk.”
Besides providing an additional way for food banks to supply patrons with the vital nutrients milk provides, the Milk for Good program works to strengthen Virginia’s dairy industry.
“Milk for Good is a win-win for our farmers and communities by creating an additional market for Virginia dairy farmers to provide nutrient-rich, wholesome milk to those most in need, especially children and their families served by food banks,” said Peery Heldreth, CEO of Farm Credit of the Virginias.
“Colonial Farm Credit is pleased to support the Virginia Federation of Food Banks and especially the Milk for Good Program,” noted Paul Franklin, CEO of Colonial Farm Credit. “This program not only puts fresh milk in the homes of needy families, it is good for our farmers in the dairy industry.”
ABOUT FARM CREDIT OF THE VIRGINIAS
The Farm Credit System is a national network of lending institutions that collectively provide a wide range of financial and lending services to rural America. Farm Credit institutions are cooperatives, capitalized largely through investments made by farmers, ranchers and the rural businesses that borrow from them. In fact, as part of a nationwide network they are the largest single provider of agricultural credit in the United States and has been for over 100 years. Farm Credit helps maintain and improve the quality of life in rural America and on the farm through its constant commitment to competitive lending and expert financial services.