THE FEEL-GOOD SIDE OF DAIRY YOU DON’T HEAR ENOUGH ABOUT

When you think about dairy, you probably think about the delicious items in your fridge and the cows that make them possible. But dairy is something even bigger — a source of nourishment, opportunity, and connection in communities across the country. From providing food access to supporting local jobs, dairy strengthens communities just as much as it strengthens bones and bodies. 

Think you know dairy? Let’s see if you can name all the ways dairy supports your community. 

True or false: Dairy helps make nutritious food more affordable and accessible.

True: Milk, cheese, and yogurt pack high-quality nutrition into every serving at an affordable price, making dairy an accessible option for many households.  

Products like shelf-stable milk also help fill gaps that many food pantries face — a need for dairy, but no way to keep it cold. From school meals to food pantries, dairy plays an important role in helping families access affordable nutrition without sacrificing quality.  

At Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), we’re a cooperative of thousands of family dairy farmers across the United States caring for their cows, their land, and their communities. When DFA and our farmer‑owners donate dairy products to local food pantries or make monetary contributions, they’re helping ensure hunger relief efforts include foods that truly nourish. 

True or false: Dairy supports jobs and local economies in communities across the nation.

True: The entire dairy industry supports 3 million American jobs, $198 billion in wages to American workers, and a nearly $780 billion impact to the U.S. economy.  

Behind every gallon of milk is a network of people working in farming, processing, transportation, retail, and more. Not to mention the hardware store employees who support every machinery repair, the veterinarians who keep herds healthy, and the many other, often unseen, members of the dairy supply chain.  

DFA farmer-owners live and work in the communities they serve, helping create jobs and supporting local businesses. When dairy thrives, communities benefit. 

True or false: Dairy farmers are active members of their communities.

True: DFA farmer-owners are deeply connected to the communities where they live and work. Beyond caring for their farms, many volunteer their time, serve on school boards or city councils, support local events, partner with food banks, and step in when neighbors need help. Community involvement is woven into their daily lives — on the farm and beyond it. 

True or false: Supporting dairy means supporting people, not just products.

True: When you choose dairy, you’re supporting a system rooted in people — family dairy farmers caring for their cows and land, farm and plant workers keeping milk moving, food bank volunteers helping neighbors in need, and many others.  

Through hunger relief, job creation, and community involvement, dairy helps strengthen communities from the inside out.  

DFA is part of the dairy community and one way that commitment shows up is through our DFA Cares Foundation. DFA gave over $100,000 in product and monetary donations to feeding organizations, offered $86,500 in scholarships to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, and donated $35,500 in disaster relief in 2025. 

People come first — and dairy does good every day by nourishing people, creating opportunities, and supporting the communities we call home. 

True or false: Dairy foods provide important nutrients that support health at every age.

True: Dairy foods deliver high-quality protein and essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and potassium — nutrients many people don’t get enough of. These nutrients support strong bones, muscle function, and overall wellness for kids, adults, and seniors alike. When access to nutritious food is limited, dairy can help fill critical gaps. 

THIS IS HOW YOU KNOW DAIRY MAKES A DIFFERENCE

If you answered all true, you know dairy for what it truly is — a source of nourishment, connection, and care. From providing essential nutrition to helping create jobs, dairy plays a meaningful role in strengthening communities.  

Through product donations, financial support, volunteering, and job creation, DFA and our farmer-owners are committed to showing up for the people and places they call home. Every glass of milk, slice of cheese, and dollop of yogurt has a story — and it’s one rooted in community.