By Juliana Tornabene and Mackenzie Davis of WMTV
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – With Dairy Month about to begin in Wisconsin, an initiative in southwestern Wisconsin aims to ensure those facing food insecurity have access to milk.
Adopt a Dairy Cow was created by Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin to address the shortage of milk donations to the local pantry. The program has provided 300,000 gallons of milk to those facing nutrition insecurity in southwestern Wisconsin since launching a decade ago.
Milk is a top source for nutrients, and one of the most requested items by food pantry partners. However, it is also an item rarely donated because of the challenges in storing and distributing it.
“Milk is part of our core 20,” Second Harvest Food Donor Coordinator Jo Rabbach said. “It is something that we strive to always have available for our partner agencies and the guests that rely on it who are facing hunger throughout southwestern Wisconsin.”
The first $65,000 will be matched this year, thanks to the Werndli Charitable Fund, Alliant Energy Foundation and other sponsors. Funds raised will go to support the purchase of thousands of gallons of milk, which will be distributed to local food pantries and partners for free.
To participate, you can visit the campaign’s website and symbolically adopt a cow. You can then choose how many half-gallons of milk you’d like to provide. Once you donate, you will receive a copy of your official “adoption” certificate and a coupon for a free quart of ice cream from Sassy Cow Creamery.
“Our cows out here are happy to participate too,” Sassy Cow Creamery co-owner James Baerwolf said. “About a little over 50 of our cows, their full-time job is just making milk for the Second Harvest Campaign.”
The cows you can choose from this year are:
Princess- This girl is herd royalty! Princess is in charge (or at least she thinks she is).
Daisy- One of our sweetest cows, Daisy loves spending time out in the green pastures.
Sprinkle- Colorful and full of life, Sprinkle can bring a smile to anyone’s face!
Scoops- Nosey and mischievous, Scoops can never turn away from some “moos” on the farm!
Bessie- A bit sassy, Bessie can never get enough of our tasty fields.
Sunny- A bright light in the herd, it is hard to miss our girl Sunny.
Malt- Though she can sometimes find herself straying away from the herd, Malt loves to discover new places on the farm.
Harriet (Sponsored by the Werndli Charitable Fund) – Giving is in her nature! Harriet loves to show the new cows around when they first join the herd.
MoogaWatt (Sponsored by the Alliant Energy Foundation) – MoogaWatt is so full of energy, she can be seen strutting through the barns at all hours of the day!
