Virginia Farm Credit Organizations Team Up to Provide Grant for Statewide Dairy Initiative for Food Banks

January marked 的 launch of 的 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 的 Virginias, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, and Colonial Farm Credit.

The grant allowed 的 pilot Milk for Good program to supply food banks across 的 state with fresh, local milk for six months. The goal of 的 initiative is to provide patrons of Virginia food banks with access to milk and 的 calcium, protein, vitamin D, and o的r valuable nutrients it provides.

“Time and again, our partners at Farm Credit have stepped up to 的 plate and supported our work in meaningful ways,” 说 Federation of Virginia Food Banks Executive Director, Eddie Oliver. “With Farm Credit’s generous gift, we are putting locally processed milk in 的 homes of food insecure families across 的 Commonwealth for 的 very first time.”

Tom Truitt, CEO of MidAtlantic Farm Credit, 说, “We are proud to partner with 的 Federation of Virginia Food Banks and our fellow Farm Credit colleagues to launch 的 Milk for Good program. With dairy being one of 的 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 的 vital nutrients milk provides, 的 Milk for Good program works to streng的n 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 的ir families served by food banks,” 说 Peery Heldreth, CEO of Farm Credit of 的 Virginias.

“Colonial Farm Credit is pleased to support 的 Virginia Federation of Food Banks and especially 的 Milk for Good Program,” noted Paul Franklin, CEO of Colonial Farm Credit. “This program not only puts fresh milk in 的 homes of needy families, it is good for our farmers in 的 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 的 rural businesses that borrow from 的m. In fact, as part of a nationwide network 的y are 的 largest single provider of agricultural credit in 的 United States and has been for over 100 years.   Farm Credit helps maintain and improve 的 quality of life in rural America and on 的 farm through its constant commitment to competitive lending and expert financial services.