Continued Partnership with Dairy Farmers of America and Pineland Farms Dairy Supports Maine’s Hunger-Relief Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 10

AUBURN, Maine – Good Shepherd Food Bank is pleased to announce 12,000 pounds of donated handcrafted cheese from Pineland Farms and Dairy Farmers of America has been distributed to their network of over 500 partner agencies. This donation is part of an initiative that began in the spring of 2020 to aid relief efforts for Maine families and businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone loves the Pineland cheese. It is really good locally-produced cheese. I’ve had lots of positive feedback,” said Tracy Kelly, Come Spring Food Pantry in Union, Maine.

In the first donation, Pineland Farms Dairy produced 34,586 pounds of cheese to be distributed across the state of Maine through Good Shepherd Food Bank’s partner network. Keeping the same process for the second round, Dairy Farmers of America works with local dairy farms to gather milk for the cheese production. Two tankers of milk were sent every week to Pineland Farms Dairy to be turned into cheese.

“This partnership allows food-insecure Mainers access to nutritious, high-quality, locally-made cheese,” said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “With food insecurity rates being projected to rise by 25% during the pandemic, we are grateful for the donation from Dairy Farmers of America and Pineland Farms Dairy, and are excited to start distributing it to our partner agencies.”

Using 100% fresh Maine milk from surrounding family farms, Pineland Farms Dairy creates unique, handcrafted cheeses while supporting local agriculture. Pineland Farms Dairy president Mark Whitney stated, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to send this product directly to Good Shepherd Food Bank and to work with organizations who support both Maine farmers and Maine families in need.”

For more information on the program, please visit www.feedingmaine.org or www.pinelandfarmsdairy.com.
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About Good Shepherd Food Bank

As the largest hunger-relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank provides for Mainers facing hunger by distributing nutritious food to more than 500 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, health care centers, and senior programs. Together with its network, the Food Bank leads a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. In Fiscal Year 2020, the Food Bank distributed more than 27.2 million meals to families, children, and seniors in need throughout Maine.

About Pineland Farms Dairy Company

Pineland Farms Dairy Company is located in Bangor, Maine, and produces all-natural dairy products for both the retail and foodservice industries across the Northeast. The company supports local dairy farmers by using 100% fresh Maine milk to handcraft their specialty cheeses and fluid milk products. For more information, please visit www.pinelandfarmsdairy.com.

About Dairy Farmers of America

Dairy Farmers of America is a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative focusing on quality, innovation and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving more than 13,000 family farmers, DFA works with some of the world’s largest food companies to develop ingredients that satisfy their customers’ cravings while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming. For more information, please visit www.dfamilk.com.

Contact

Jessica Donahue
Marketing and Communications Manager
Good Shepherd Food Bank
jdonahue@gsfb.org or (207) 782-3554

Mark Whitney
President & COO
Pineland Farms Dairy Company Inc.
mwhitney@pinelandfarmsdairy.com or (207) 922-4040

Amy Roberts
Communications Manager
Dairy Farmers of America
aroberts@dfamilk.com or (315) 632-5351