Meet former Detroit Lions gridiron favorite Herman Moore and sample foods made from one of the state's largest locally-produced food products at this year's Dairy Foods Awareness Day



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The public is invited to visit the State Capitol in Lansing on June 10 to celebrate June Dairy Month. Several Michigan dairy food processors will be present to distribute free samples of dairy favorites, including ice cream, milk, yogurt and cheese. Attendees will also hear from and be able to meet former Detroit Lions wide receiver Herman Moore. The free event will take place rain or shine inside a large tent on the southeast lawn of the State Capitol between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Dairy Foods Awareness Day observes the impact Michigan's dairy industry has on the state's economy and the role it plays in feeding its citizens. Michigan's 380,000 dairy cows produce nearly 9.2 billion pounds of milk containing nine essential nutrients, including calcium, potassium and protein. This milk is bottled for drinking or processed into cheese, yogurt and other dairy products at one of nearly 90 processing facilities located across the state, and surplus milk is exported to other states. The dairy industry is one of Michigan's leading agricultural segments contributing upwards of $14.7 billion annually to the state's economy and ranking it seventh in the nation for milk production. Milk is always fresh and in season because it's produced all year long on Michigan's approximately 2,000 dairy farms, 97 percent of which are family-owned and -operated, and it routinely journeys from farm to processor to store within a 48-hour period.

Eleven Michigan dairy processors will have displays and distribute free dairy product samples at this year's Dairy Foods Awareness Day. Scheduled to attend are: Ashby's Sterling Ice Cream, Country Dairy, Country Fresh, Dairy Farmers of America, Hudsonville Ice Cream, Michigan Dairy (Kroger), Michigan Milk Producers Association, the Michigan State University Dairy Store, Prairie Farms, Philos Foods and Quality Dairy.

Also attending will be former Detroit Lions wide receiver and four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection Herman Moore. Moore, the Lions' first-round draft pick in 1991 who went on to shatter virtually all of Detroit's receiving records during his 11-year career, will speak about improving eating habits, increasing physical activity and expanding access to nutritious food options for children.

Several Michigan dairy farmers will be present at the event, including Michigan State Representative Ed McBroom , a lifelong dairy farmer from Dickinson County, and State Senator Judy Emmons , a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Montcalm County, who will address attendees at noon.

"Michigan dairy processors and farm families are proud to be part of an industry that produces such a safe and wholesome food that continues to be a nutritional bargain for families at a cost of about 25 cents per glass," says Jason Wadaga, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Michigan Dairy Foods Association (MDFA), a trade and membership service organization representing the nearly 90 dairy processing plants located across the state that has sponsored and organized the annual event for more than 20 years.

"The annual Dairy Foods Awareness Day at the Capitol event expands awareness of and knowledge about the state's dairy processing industry and Michigan dairy farming, and it promotes the health benefits of incorporating three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products into our daily diets," Wadaga adds.

For more information about this year's event, call Wadaga at (517) 485-1450.

To learn more about local hard-working Michigan dairy farmers and their families, visit Milk Means More .
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6.8.2015