Fresno State has claimed the top spot in a statewide milk drive among California agricultural colleges, raising nearly $3,000 to provide more than 1,000 gallons of milk to local food assistance programs.
Organized by the Fresno State Dairy Science Club, the fall milk drive supported deliveries to the Amendola Family Student Cupboard on campus and the Central California Food Bank on Dec. 18. Donations were collected throughout the semester, both online and in person at the Gibson Farm Market.
The Dairy Science Club is a student-operated organization that focuses on professional development and community outreach in the nation’s leading milk-producing region. The club connects Fresno State students with industry partners while addressing local food insecurity.
The effort was part of the Real California Milk Intercollegiate Give-A-Gallon Challenge, a statewide competition among agricultural universities. Fresno State finished with the highest total for the third consecutive year. The challenge was organized by the California Milk Advisory Board, which contributed 100 gallons of milk to each participating university, while Producers Dairy assisted with coordinating deliveries.
The Real California Milk said they are proud to work with Fresno State for a third time on the Intercollegiate Give-A-Gallon Challenge.
“The challenge highlights the collaboration between dairy students and California’s dairy farmers to help address food insecurity across the state,” said Thalia Sillivan, communications associate for the California Milk Advisory Board, in an email to The Collegian.
Other schools participating in the challenge included Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chico State and Modesto Junior College. Combined, the universities collected around 1,700 gallons of milk to be donated to communities across the state.
Rolston St. Hilaire, dean of the Jordan College of Agriculture, commended the efforts of faculty and staff regarding the win.
“I am pleased that our faculty, students and staff came together to coordinate a milk drive and help fill a critical gap in local food pantries,” St. Hilaire said. “This successful effort shows that Fresno State and its stakeholders recognize the importance of dairy to California and highlights the active engagement of its constituents in this meaningful community effort.”
California leads the nation in the production of milk, butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk. The California Milk Advisory Board, which oversees the initiative, is instrumental in the California Department of Food and Agriculture and is funded by the state’s dairy producers.
