Midwest Dairy Council Supports Local Food Bank Program for Kids « Back

WICHITA, Kan. – In support of efforts to improve child nutrition, the Midwest Dairy Council will donate more than 1500 bottles of Nestle® Carnation Instant Breakfast® drinks to the Food 4 Kids backpack program, a school-based effort led by the Kansas Food Bank.  

Food 4 Kids was established for students who are "food insecure" and who are not getting sufficient food outside of school on a regular basis.  Students who participate receive a pre-assembled backpack filled with nutritious food items on Friday of each school week.

The instant breakfast drinks are a good fit for the Food 4 Kids program because they are ready-to-drink and do not require refrigeration.  Also, they are nutritious and kid-friendly.  Each 11-ounce bottle provides nearly half of the recommended calcium for children and the assorted flavors are well-liked by kids.

Along with the milk, Midwest Dairy will provide educational handouts highlighting dairy’s nutritional and economic value.   “Consumers can bank on the basics with dairy.” says Midwest Dairy registered dietitian Stephanie Cundith.  “Together, milk, cheese and yogurt deliver a unique package of nine essential nutrients including calcium and vitamin D for strong bones.”  

This marks the third year for a Midwest Dairy donation to Food 4 Kids.  According to Larry Gunkel, Kansas Food Bank programs director, Food 4 Kids currently reaches more than 5,000 students in 87 school districts.

“We want to help make more nutrient-rich foods available to kids.” says Newton dairy farmer and Midwest Dairy board member, Byron Lehman.  “Kids who receive this donation will get at least one of the recommended three daily servings of dairy.”

Midwest Dairy will coordinate the product order and pick up with a local Dillons and the Kansas Food Bank.  Community volunteers will assemble the back packs at a later date.

###

Editor’s Note: Media are invited to attend the product pick up on Thurs., Nov. 18, 11:00 a.m. at Dillons Marketplace, 7707 E. Central, Wichita, Kan., 67206. Representatives from Midwest Dairy Council, Kansas Food Bank and Dillons will be present for photo opportunities or quotes. 

Midwest Dairy Council is the nutrition education division of Midwest Dairy Association. The Council’s mission is to promote a healthy diet through nutrition education and the use of dairy products to consumers, health professionals and teachers. Midwest Dairy Council is funded by checkoff dollars from dairy farmers in a nine-state region that includes: Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. For more information, visit www.midwestdairy.com. Follow us on Twitter and find us on Facebook at Midwest Dairy.