MILWAUKEE — Kemps, a local dairy company with a milk processing facility in Cedarburg, is teaming up with Roundy's supermarkets to help food banks meet increased demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This month, the companies are coming together to donate 175,000 shelf-stable "Giving Cow" milk cartons to Wisconsin food banks.
50,000 of the packs were delivered to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin on Wednesday morning.
Scott Marshall, Vice-President of Development and Communications for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, said demand for food has increased a consistent 36% since March, when the pandemic began.
At food banks, milk is often highly requested but is rarely donated so the milk donation will be shared to help Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin fight hunger in Milwaukee area communities.
"The pandemic has impacted all of us in a way that none of us could’ve expected," said Marshall. "A lot of folks are new to the system and are learning how to ask for help."
Marshall said all of the milk donated Wednesday will be distributed to food banks across Southeast Wisconsin.
The donations were made possible by people shopping at local supermarkets, according to James Hyland, Vice President of Communications for Roundy's Supermarkets.
"Every time our customers purchase a Kemps product at one of our Pick 'N Save or Metro Market stores, a portion of that sales proceed goes towards the Giving Cow donation," said Hyland.
He said this specific milk, which has a self-life of one year will help meet a rather specific challenge at food banks statewide.
"Usually when milk is donated, its usually towards the end of its expiration date so its towards the end of its life when it gets here," said Hyland. "This donation is even more important than it would be normally because the need is greater out there for those who are food insecure."