Sustainability
Reducing food waste in your own kitchen
We in the dairy industry often talk about food waste in the context of how dairy cows are able to upcycle foods that are byproducts of things produced for human consumption. In Maine, some common examples are spent grains from breweries, whey from yogurt and canola meal from canola oil production. Other states might use … Continued
A Dairy Cow’s Super Powers
What’s more sustainable than an animal that helps to grow its own feed? That’s exactly what a dairy cow does. The farmer feeds the cow. The cow makes manure (poops). The manure is then fertilizer for the fields in which the farmer grows feed like corn and hay for the cow. The dairy cow eats … Continued
Farmers Use Fit Bit Style Technology to Monitor Cow Health
Long before the Fit Bit was all the rage among those looking to get and stay fit, dairy farmers were relying on similar technology to keep them abreast of their cows’ health. Lilley Farms way up in the County, between Canada and Baxter State Park in Smyrna, was one of the first to start using … Continued
What People Have to Say
Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council works with schools across the state, offering grants each year for needed school nutrition equipment.
Ellen Dore, RSU 16
The staff loves them (the red coolers) because they are just the right size for milk, pack out field trips and they keep everything cold. Kids at the summer camp help to unload the van and it's a competition as to who can carry the red bag by themselves without needing help (Milk helps to grow muscles twice-once to carry it and twice drinking it!) Once again, the red cooler bags helped to make the summer a success!!!
Mary Sue Thompson, Machias
The smoothie machine prompted creativity from our kitchen staff, and the students now appreciate the variety in their breakfasts. Support like this helps small rural schools offer diverse menu options.
Perley Martin, RSU 71
Thank you so much for your continued partnership to make our program better.
Tammy Connors, RSU 74
All of the RSU #74 schools have been fortunate to receive generous support, encouragement and funding from the Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council. Most recently, our High School received a needed Milk Barrel in the fitting Cow Pattern to go along with our farming communities. Our 3 elementary schools have held many friendly competitions to raise awareness of the importance of healthy habits & drinking vitamin rich milk. The support we have received over the years is invaluable and provides not only the financial support but resources and knowledge to help us all, in the classrooms and kitchens, to educate students on the importance of making life-long healthy choices.
Tyler Guerin, Portland Public Schools Nutrition Program
They (red insulated coolers) were essential in serving our community during the summer months, allowing our program to focus on meal quality without worrying about limited cooler space.
Melissa Belanger, RSU 87
The addition of the yogurt bar to our breakfast has given the students participating more choices which I believe has helped us to keep our numbers where they are at now. We are so appreciative of this grant and all it has helped us to accomplish.
