The Kroger Family of Companies has announced the launch of an expanded Dairy Rescue Program that is designed to support children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic through the summer months. In partnership with its dairy cooperative suppliers and farmers across the Midwest and South, Kroger will process and donate about 200,000 gal. of additional milk to Feeding America food banks and community organizations through the end of August, lifting up its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative.

"Kroger recognizes the growing need for fresh, highly nutritious food in our community, especially for children as schools remain closed during the pandemic to flatten the curve," Kroger group vice president of manufacturing Erin Sharp said. "At a time when dairy farmers have surplus raw milk, we're doubling down on our mission to reduce hunger and waste."

The Dairy Rescue Program is expanding on an existing partnership model between Kroger and its dairy cooperative suppliers to direct even more fluid milk — one of the most requested but harder-to-stock items at food banks — to food-insecure communities. Through the expanded program, during the pandemic, dairy cooperatives will donate surplus milk normally sold to restaurants, schools and hotels, while Kroger will donate the processing and packaging of the donated milk. Additionally, in some areas, Kroger's logistics team will also donate the transportation of the milk to local food banks.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses like restaurants and hotels across the country to close, some of America's farmers are left without buyers for their dairy supply," said Heather McCann, director of public affairs for Dairy Farmers of America's Mideast Area. "Kroger's Dairy Rescue Program is an invaluable resource for the dairy industry during this crisis and beyond, helping distribute and process surplus milk to communities who need it the most."

The expansion of the Dairy Rescue Program builds on Kroger's existing partnerships with the Michigan Milk Producers Assn. and Dairy Farmers of America, which already donate a combined 129,900 gal. throughout the year. Through the expanded program, Kroger's dairy processing plants and suppliers will be donating an additional 50,000 gal. of milk per month to local food banks and community organizations. Feeding America member food banks and other partners will help transport the gallons and half-gallons to local hunger relief agencies.

From May through August, four of Kroger's manufacturing facilities will process the rescued milk to benefit several food bank organizations and communities:

The program will be further enhanced by Kroger's Centennial Dairy partnership with Dairy Farmers of America in Atlanta, Ga., to direct 24,000 half-gallons of milk to support health care workers and first responders in Augusta, Macon and Savannah, Ga., over the next month during the pandemic. Kroger kicked off the Great Georgia Give milk donation campaign in metro Atlanta last week with Georgia commissioner of agriculture Gary W. Black.

"With so many families struggling with unemployment and food insecurity today, providing access to fresh, nutrient-rich milk has never been more important," Feeding America chief supply chain officer Blake Thompson said. "Kroger's Dairy Rescue Program is keeping America's farmers productive, avoiding unnecessary food waste and helping families in need."