Throughout September, for every gallon of Garelick Farms’ milk purchased at 10 participating Tops locations, a carton of Giving Cow milk will be donated to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.
The donations come in cartons featuring playful cow characters. The single-serve, 8-ounce packs of ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurized milk have a shelf-life of up to 12 months, whereas fresh milk has a shelf life of about 20 days from processing. The longer shelf life is ideal for food pantries.
The participating Tops locations across the Hudson Valley, North Country and Southern Tier include:
- Ellenville – 100 Tops Markets Blvd.;
- New Paltz – 271 Main St.;
- Corinth – 100 Main St.;
- Bolton Landing – 4976 Lakeshore Drive;
- Chestertown – 6308 U.S. 9;
- Schroon Lake – 1103 Route 9;
- Greenville – 11573 State Route 32;
- Stamford – 127 Main St.;
- Coxsackie – 44 Hope Plaza; and
- Hancock – 16 W. Main St.
“At Tops, our mission is to address the fundamental needs of the community, while helping to eradicate hunger,” said Tops Friendly Markets President Ron Ferri.
“This partnership gives our Hudson Valley, North Country and Southern Tier customers the chance to make a huge impact in their communities by simply buying milk. Together, we’re expanding access to nutritious food through this unique partnership with both Garelick and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY.”
Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks but, because of its short shelf life, also one of the least donated. The Giving Cow program, developed by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and supported by 17 of its regional dairy brands including Garelick Farms, helps close that gap with a kid-friendly solution.
“Milk plays a vital role in a healthy diet, especially for growing children, but it’s often missing from food bank shelves,” said Brooke Ryan, general manager at Garelick Farms. “We’re committed to helping close that gap. Through initiatives like our Giving Cow program, we’re ensuring families have access to the nourishment they need – one gallon at a time.”
About Tops Friendly Markets
Headquartered in Williamsville, New York, Tops Markets operates a network of 152 grocery stores spanning the Empire State, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including one franchise location. It has more than 14,000 employees, making it one of western New York’s largest employers.
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I hope it’s okay to include a link, but I thought it might help clarify my question. Regarding the recent partnership between Tops Friendly Markets and Garelick Farms, which aims to provide milk donations, how do you think programs like the Giving Cow can influence community health, especially for families facing food insecurity? I’ve been reading about the importance of nutrition in managing conditions and came across an interesting article on the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, which discusses how proper nutrition is essential for overall wellness. You can check it out here: https://reginalfoodbank.net/navigating-nutrition-and-wellness-with-regional-food-bank-of-northeastern-new-york.