Culture Magazine is proud to be a part of the artisan cheese community. This tight-knit, supportive group of individuals are a constant source of inspiration to us. During the most recent natural disasters, we were struck by the stories from those in our community coming together to help each other.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some of these stories. This one comes from California Milk Advisory Board, in cooperation with California dairy processors.
While one truck arrived at the Treasure Coast Food Bank in Fort Pierce, Florida, the second of two food relief trucks departed from Irwindale, California last Tuesday—headed for Houston, completing a commitment from the California dairy community to support families in need who were affected by recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida.
The donation of 42,000 pounds of cheese delivered last week to the Houston Food Bank is part of a commitment of more than 70,000 pounds of protein-rich dairy foods like cheese, yogurt, crema and protein drinks coordinated by the state’s dairy farm families through the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) in cooperation with dairy processors.
“We’re farmers. Nourishing people is what we do. We couldn’t stand by when so many people are in need,” said dairy farmer Dante Migliazzo, Chairman of the CMAB. “Wanting to join in the relief effort, we reached out to the dairy processor community, the folks who turn our milk into nutritious dairy foods, in the hopes of doing something. The response was tremendous, and within days two trucks filled with over 70,000 pounds of product were ready to go.”
The Treasure Coast Food Bank in Fort Pierce, Florida received 861 cases (18,532 packages) of cheese, 590 cases (7,080 packages) of crema, 2,736 bottles of protein drink, 5,040 servings of cup yogurt and 1,440 servings of drinkable yogurt from Cacique, FitPro, Pacific Cheese Company, Rizo Lopez and Super Store Industries. Last week, the Houston Food Bank received 37,884 packages of Cacique cheese for distribution to its network of more than 600 hunger relief charities.
Shipping and logistical support were provided by CMAB partner HarbyrCo Global Products Solution.
“We’re so grateful to our processor partners for their support of the people and communities affected by Harvey and Irma and for the assistance of Feeding America and HarbyrCo in getting these products into the hands of the people who need them most,” said Migliazzo.
About the California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s more than 1300 dairy families. With headquarters in Tracy, the CMAB is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese.
Featured Image: Jon Gianini of HarbyrCo helping load relief trucks.
Monisha Awasthi
Monisha is culture's Digital Editor. A mediaperson and a trained chef, when Monisha is not busy getting her daily dose of oxygen on social media, you'll find her developing new flavors in her suburban kitchen. Her favorite cheese: Pecorino Toscano
