Busch’s Fresh Food Market shared that its customers donated 107,648 gallons of milk to food banks as part of its biannual milk drive.
Last year, 103,698 gallons of milk were donated. The first milk drive of 2025 was held in March, and the second from Sept. 22-Oct. 5. This year, the drive achieved 2,648 gallons more than the goal of 105,000 gallons.
Milk donations made their way to Food Gathers of Michigan, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners and South Michigan Food Bank. In addition, United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) also matched $20,000 in funding to the food banks this year.
Busch’s milk drive was launched in 2015 in partnership with UDIM, providing a source of nutrition to low-income families in southeastern Michigan. Since it started, 825,983 gallons of milk have been donated, and $284,469 in cash has been raised to support the project.
“Every year we are astounded at the generosity of our guests,” said Joelle Forbes, Busch’s center store category manager who heads the milk drive.
“We are a local Michigan company, and the guests know that the struggling families they are helping are in their community too. They dig deep because they know milk is such an important part of most of our diets.”
During the milk drives, Mootilda, the dairy cow mascot from UDIM, makes regular appearances at Busch’s stores.
“Our associates really love this event and dress up as cows, too,” Forbes said. “We have signs and balloons everywhere highlighting the milk drive, and it’s a lot of fun.
“But there is a serious message, too – Busch’s is committed to fighting hunger, and our staff know that their efforts will help to ensure that local children will have milk for their cereal in the morning.”
With 16 stores, Busch’s Fresh Food Market is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Each year, Busch’s donates up to $200,000 to neighborhood schools and educational initiatives through its Cash for Education program.
The company also provides monthly donations to food banks. For example, its Washtenaw County stores provide food to Food Gatherers, and it also helps the nonprofit food rescue organization raise funds to provide additional food to hungry local families. Forgotten Harvest is another food bank that receives monthly donations.
About Busch’s Fresh Food Market
Founded in 1975, Busch’s Fresh Food Market is a family-owned independent supermarket chain serving five southeastern Michigan counties. With more than 1,600 employees, the company emphasizes locally-produced products, partnering with Michigan farmers and artisans.
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