Penn. farmers have come up with an idea to give milk away instead of dumping it
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Members of Pennsylvania’s ag community have come up with a way to ensure dairy is being enjoyed rather than having it dumped during the pandemic.
John Painter, a dairy producer from Tioga County, Penn., helped organize a drive-thru milk donation campaign at Kelly and Wade Taylor’s farm in Lawrenceville on April 12.
Steve Wunderlich, who runs a local hoof care service in the area, was involved as well.
People were asked to donate money to help address the shortage of milk in the community and to purchase other dairy products from Dairy Farmers of America and other local suppliers.
Families who came to the Taylor’s farm Sunday were given a box containing two gallons of milk, different cheeses, yogurt and sour cream.
A US$20 donation buys about six gallons of milk or around five one-pound blocks of cheese to help put the boxes together.
Organizers were worried they might not distribute all the boxes, but that wasn’t the case, Painter said.
“We live in a really rural community and we didn’t know if we were going to have too much product (leftover),” he told Farms.com. “But within an hour and a half they gave out around 125 boxes and were already out.”
In addition to the families picking up dairy boxes, some families waited in line just to make a donation.
Organizers are planning another event for April 19 where they hope to give out 200 boxes.
The campaign is a symbol of the community supporting one another during difficult times, Painter said.
“It’s something we’d like to keep going during (the coronavirus) situation,” he said. “It’s a great event and shows how communities come together when someone needs help.”
Anyone interested in making a donation can make one online or can contact Steve Wunderlich at (607) 425-6973.