Prairie Farms Set to Donate 500 Gallons of Milk to SE Missouri Foodbank

It's June Dairy Month, and Prairie Farms is Pouring It On in a big way by giving back to the communities where their farm families and employees live and work. This means helping families in need by donating over 10,000 gallons of milk to local food banks and giving away hundreds of amazing dairy-packed prize packages that give winners a chance to give back to their favorite Our Caps, Your Cause charities. A win-win for everyone!

On June 30th, Prairie Farms will donate and deliver 10,500 gallons of milk (that's 168,000 servings of milk) to 21 food banks in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Twenty of the food banks are members of Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger relief charity. In addition to the milk donations, Prairie Farms food bank partners will earn ten cents instead of 5 cents for every milk cap redeemed through the company's cause marketing program, Our Caps, Your Cause. The company is also encouraging consumers to make donations to the Great American Milk Drive -- the first ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most.

"Dairy Month is the perfect opportunity to honor our farm families for their unwavering commitment to being good neighbors and making sure fresh, delicious and nutritious milk and dairy products are always available for millions of families to enjoy every single day," said Ed Mullins, Prairie Farms Executive Vice President and CEO. "Giving back is an important part of our heritage that began over 75 years ago. We are committed to making a difference in our communities, which is why we responded when our food bank partners told us that milk is one of the top items requested by families, but lack of resources prevents them from meeting demand. I hope our significant donation will raise awareness of the scarcity of milk in food banks."

Prairie Farms also announced the kick-off of its Pouring It On Sweepstakes. Throughout June, consumers can enter to win 1 of 500 dairy-packed prize packages. The Grand Prize Package includes $1,000 cash and free Prairie Farms dairy products for a year; the winner's favorite Our Caps, Your Cause charity will also receive $1,000.

"This is a very exciting month for Prairie Farms," said Rebecca Leinenbach, Prairie Farms Sales Program Director. "Our goal was to develop a campaign to raise awareness of the need for milk in food banks and at the same time, reward consumers for their loyalty to our brand and reward their favorite charities too. Lastly, to celebrate June Dairy Month, we're launching Cupcake Classics Milk; available in three flavors: Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry-Banana and Very Vanilla. Our newest flavors were inspired by America's obsession with cupcakes and these sweet treats are sure to become summertime favorites. So, we're Pouring It On all month long!"

About Prairie Farms Dairy

Headquartered in Carlinville, Ill., Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. represents over 700 farm families and is one of the largest and most successful farmer-owned dairy cooperatives in the Midwest - with annual sales of nearly $3 billion, 5,700 employees, 36 manufacturing plants and over 100 distribution facilities throughout the Midwest and South. Founded in 1938, Prairie Farms has manufactured and delivered quality dairy products from farm to family for over 75 years; achieved through a commitment from our farm families to producing the highest quality milk available - without the use of artificial growth hormones. Prairie Farms product portfolio includes a complete line of fluid milk products, cottage cheese, sour cream and dips, yogurt, half and half, whipping cream, juice and juice drinks, ice cream and novelties. Prairie Farms distribution footprint covers over 30 percent of the United States; products are available in grocery chains, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores, schools, food service outlets and warehouse distribution centers. Prairie Farms charitable giving program, Our Caps, Your Cause, supports a variety of non-profit organizations.

www.prairiefarms.com