July 03, 2025

Dairy farmers donate to food banks

By AgriNews Staff
Illinois Milk Producers Association donated 24,000 pounds of milk between three Illinois food banks in celebration of National Dairy Month. Participants in the presentation included Tasha Bunting (from left), IMPA executive director; Gretchen Nollman, River Bend Food Bank director of operations; Mike Dralle, Prairie Farms sales representative; Aaron Barton, River Bend Food Bank Galesburg site director; Hailey Hennenfent, Knox County Farm Bureau manager; and Kendra Anderson, Midwest Dairy Association.

Illinois Milk Producers Association donated 24,000 pounds of milk between three Illinois food banks in celebration of National Dairy Month. Participants in the presentation included Tasha Bunting (from left), IMPA executive director; Gretchen Nollman, River Bend Food Bank director of operations; Mike Dralle, Prairie Farms sales representative; Aaron Barton, River Bend Food Bank Galesburg site director; Hailey Hennenfent, Knox County Farm Bureau manager; and Kendra Anderson, Midwest Dairy Association. (Illinois Farm Bureau photo/Catrina Rawson)

GALESBURG, Ill. — Recognizing the hardships many communities are facing, Illinois Milk Producers Association donated 24,000 pounds of milk, including lactose-free, between three local food banks.

“Many families continue to struggle with food insecurity amid high prices at the grocery store,” said Don Mackinson, IMPA president.

“Everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food, which is why Illinois dairy farmers have come together to once again donate milk to local food banks supporting our communities.”

IMPA donated a combined 48,250 servings to River Bend Food Bank in Galesburg, Northern Illinois Food Bank in Geneva, Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield, and Eastern Illinois Food Bank in Urbana in celebration of June being National Dairy Month.

The donation was made on June 16 in partnership with Prairie Farms, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, St. Louis District Dairy Council, and Midwest Dairy.

IMPA is a federation of the largest dairy cooperatives operating in Illinois, independent dairy producers, allied industry persons and university partners.

IMPA has served the Illinois dairy industry since 1933 and represents more than three-fourths of the milk marketed in the state.

CornDairyFarm BureauIllinois Corn Marketing BoardIllinois Farm BureauIllinois Milk Producers AssociationIllinois Soybean AssociationLivestockMidwest DairySoybeansSt. Louis District Dairy Council
AgriNews Staff

AgriNews Staff

The Illinois AgriNews and Indiana AgriNews staff is in the field each week, covering topics that affect local farm families and their businesses. We give readers information they can’t get elsewhere to help them make better farming decisions.