What started as a way to distribute extra milk during the hot months of summer by grocery organizations sponsoring milk, June became the official “dairy month” that is still celebrated today. It is also celebrated internally within our office at Progressive Publishing as the time when ice cream sandwiches stay fully stocked in our freezer all month long.
Growing up on a dairy and being a part of our county 4-H program, I helped celebrate June Dairy Month each year for my dairy project. I did this by displaying a large poster board of dairy facts and nutrition in the lobby of our local bank. I wanted to help educate consumers on the benefits of milk and the importance of getting the essential nutrients needed to build strong bones and teeth.
This year to celebrate June Dairy Month within our publication, I wanted to recognize new and innovative ways milk is being processed into novel dairy products. The first dairy food mentioned is Top Protein, which is a milk-based meat that uses a technology called “fermentation-derived nutrimimicry” to convert milk into meat by growing a protein fiber structure. Read more about how the industry is “futurizing” milk into dairy-based meat.
Another article talks about new dairy products that have hit the market in the past year such as caffeinated milk, smooth cottage cheese, probiotic milk and a one-of-a-kind homemade ice cream mix. These different innovator groups identified consumer trends and are delivering dairy products to meet these demands and increase dairy consumption.
In addition to June Dairy Month, June 1 is World Milk Day, which has been celebrated globally since 2001. World Milk Day was a day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food. The day is intended to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities related to the dairy sector. Read World Milk Day 2023.
This upcoming month, I challenge you to join in and commemorate World Milk Day and June Dairy Month with us. Get your family and friends involved by planning fun dairy-themed events. Some ideas include:
- Planning a taste-test event to showcase dairy products
- Hosting a breakfast on the farm or a milk “tea party” for young children
- Sharing a 15-30-second public service announcement on your local radio station
- Visiting a public school to educate children on the benefits of milk
- Throwing a parfait party where you can create custom yogurt parfaits
- Sharing a recipe and stating why you love all things dairy
We encourage you to talk about the important contributions of dairy farmers and their families to their community, the significance of the dairy industry to the economy, the quality and taste of milk and dairy products, and the health benefits of milk and dairy foods.
Last but not least, be sure to take photos and post them to social media using the hashtags #WorldMilkDay and #JuneDairyMonth to spread the word.
