In response to grocery stores limiting milk purchases, the American Dairy Association Mideast proactively reached out to dairy farmers and social media followers to share what they were seeing in their stores. ODPA supported this effort by engaging the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Farm Bureau to assist.

This outreach collectively resulted in news coverage and social media seen by millions of people. ADA Mideast has directly received over 1,600 comments and emails reporting purchasing limits on fluid milk in their local stores. 

Armed with this information, ODPA and ADA Mideast staff are working with Ohio’s dairy processors and their sales team to assure retailers there is a steady supply of milk to meet grocery stores’ increased needs during this time.
 
The dairy associations also enlisted of the help of the Ohio Grocers Association to issue a special alert to retailers to lift their milk purchasing limits. In addition, Governor DeWine and his administration were informed of the situation and provided messaging to help reassure consumers that there is not a shortage of milk and dairy foods.

To date, Kroger, Walmart, Sparkle and Discount Drug Mart stores have confirmed that they are removing their limits on milk purchases. Conversations are underway with other retailers including Giant Eagle, Meijer and Aldi. 

Emergency Funding for Foodbanks

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks has requested $25 million in emergency state funding to respond to an unprecedented need for emergency food created by the COVID-10 pandemic. The Ohio Dairy Producers Association, with support from DFA Mideast Area and National Farmers Organization, sent a letter to Governor DeWine urging him to approve this funding request.

This funding would allow Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks and its pantry network of 3,600 local organizations to immediately procure nutritious milk and dairy products, as well as other food and essential items, to feed families in need.