The famous Farm Show milkshakes made an appearance in West Lawn Wednesday thanks to the PA Dairymen’s Association. Celebrating National Dairy Month, the pop-up event was held at the Weis Markets in West Lawn, with proceeds of shake sales supporting agriculture education and hunger prevention programs.
In early June, Weis Markets announced a $50,000 philanthropic commitment to pour fresh milk across Pennsylvania with the “Fill A Glass With Hope” campaign.
To highlight World Milk Day, which was June 1st, Weis Markets has also donated a truckload of milk valued at $10,000 to regional food banks, which includes Helping Harvest. Since its inception, Fill a Glass with Hope has provided more than 21 million servings of milk to families in need through Feeding Pennsylvania’s nine-member food banks statewide.
Jane Clements, Executive Director, Feeding PA applauded the greatly needed donation saying, ”No one in Pennsylvania should be denied access to nutritious food, including fresh milk, especially the over half a million children in our Commonwealth who are facing hunger every day. Milk is one of the most requested items in our charitable food network and Feeding Pennsylvania’s member food banks are extremely appreciative of our dairy farmers and business leaders such as Weis Markets for investing in this amazing program so that we can purchase milk, at a reduced price, directly from local dairy processors and distribute it to Pennsylvania families in need.”
On average, Feeding PA’s food banks serve nearly 2.2 million Pennsylvanians annually, yet during the first three months of the COVID-19 response, food banks served more than 5.5 million people. The 2021 Projected Child Food Insecurity Rate is 16.8%, up from 14.6% in 2019. The Commonwealth’s official beverage, milk is a highly requested food item at food banks across the country, with nearly 600,000 children facing food insecurity in Pennsylvania.
PA Dairymen’s Association Executive Director Dave Smith says, ”We are grateful to have outstanding community leaders such as Weis Markets behind our state’s number one industry and once again helping us to provide fresh milk to children and families in need to tackle hunger. In addition, individuals and businesses are still reaching out in record numbers asking where they can get our famous milkshakes for a great cause. We are blessed that businesses and community groups like Weis Markets have really stepped up to help support Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers, along with our philanthropic endeavors by requesting Milkshake Pop Ups in communities.”
The PA Dairymen’s milkshake is one of the most sought-after favorites at the PA Farm Show. Milkshake sale proceeds benefit Pennsylvania ag-related charities, along with Feeding PA’s Fill A Glass With Hope fresh milk program for families in need.
“Weis Markets is proud to partner with the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association to address hunger in our communities while supporting Pennsylvania dairy farmers,” said Ron Bonacci, Weis Markets Vice President, Advertising and Marketing.
“We know that milk is a cornerstone of a nutritious diet for kids and families and is in high demand at area food banks. We’re grateful to the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association for their commitment to fighting hunger and supporting the dairy industry.”
