DAIRY PRODUCERS GIVING BACK 2022
A
ACROSS ONTARIO, DAIRY PRODUCER COMMITTEES ARE
NOURISHING COMMUNITIES.
Dairy Producer Committees (DPCs) are local ambassadors for the dairy industry. In communities across Ontario, they step up and show up to support local teams and cultural events, fairs, schools, food banks, and so much more. It’s in the dairy producer DNA - core to who we are.
This booklet proudly highlights some of the work being done by DPCs to share and ignite our collective love for milk and dairy products, while giving back to the places we call home and the people we care about.
In addition to what’s in these pages, Ontario dairy producers continue to support our local children’s hospitals through the Milk & Cookies holiday campaign. Since 2019, we’ve provided more than $2 million in donations to Sick Kids, McMaster Children’s Hospitals, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. This year’s donation of $500,000 will go toward making things a bit more comfortable for families spending the holidays in hospital.
“Giving to Sick Kids and other Ontario children’s hospitals is something our dairy producers are very passionate about, especially during the holiday season. So many of us have been helped by the dedicated teams at these important institutions, and this is just one way for us to show our support.”
—Cheryl Smith, chief executive officer, DFO
This year, DFO has created a special gift for children who won’t be home for the holidays. Inspired by the magical ritual of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa, patients will receive special Santa Milk-O-Grams. The care packages are full of festive cheer to prepare for Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve, including a customizable milk bottle, milk coupons, a holiday card to decorate, and a plush toy.
As dairy producers, we take great pride in producing high-quality milk, one of nature’s most nutrient-rich foods. It’s our nature to nourish caring, compassionate communities, and to support inclusive nutrition. Thank you to our producers and DPCs for a wonderful year of giving!
2
Dufferin
Dufferin DPC sponsored the Minto Cup, the National Junior A Lacrosse Championship of Canada, in Brampton, ON, in August. The young athletes, including winners Whitby Warriors, enjoyed milk to replenish their bodies after the games. It was the first time the championship was held since 2019.
Dundas
Dundas DPC raised more than $700 for Naomi’s Centre, a women’s shelter in Winchester, ON, this summer. The DPC provided ice cream sandwiches while accepting donations at Winchester Bike Nights, a popular event where participants can enjoy food and entertainment while raising money for local charities.
3
Dundas DPC Vice-chair James Harbers and his son, Korbin.
Durham
When the Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes Food Bank needed to upgrade its facilities, Durham DPC seized the opportunity. With help from DFO, the committee bought a new fridge, which was delivered in September. Kawartha Dairy filled the fridge with products, giving more community members a chance to eat nutritious dairy.
Elgin
Elgin DPC donated $2,400 to the Family Central Community Food Program in Aylmer to purchase dairy products such as milk, butter and cheese. The donation helps organizers prepare hot meals for less fortunate community members who also need nutritious and delicious dairy products.
4
Ericka and Jaime Wilson
Frontenac
Grenville
Grenville DPC oversaw the Dairy Farmers of Ontario booth at the International Plowing Match (IPM) held in Kemptville, ON, in September. More than 50 volunteers kept the booth humming, sold milk and Shaw’s ice cream, and showcased dairy to community members. They also hosted DFO board members as well as Conservative Party of Canada delegates from all over the province who eagerly asked questions about farm life and milk pricing. The positive showcase of the dairy industry and willingness for open conversation was welcomed by all.
Frontenac DPC is spreading the “Dairy Done Right” message through three signs installed along busy county roads. The four by eight-foot signs include pictures of grazing cows and messages of, “Thanks for supporting Canadian dairy” and “Dairy done right in Frontenac county”.
5
Left to right: Grenville DPC members Dylan Snowdan, Scott Connell, Matt Maitland, Ian Carlow, and Ronnie Maitland.
Grey
Local producers, Grey DPC and dairy educator, Teresa Johnson, hosted a booth with giveaways and Chapman’s ice cream bars at the Agro Expo & Rodeo in Holstein, ON. A sheep shearing competition, rawhide rodeo, and lots of vendors and entertainment, rounded out the July event with proceeds going to the Mount Forest Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation.
Huron
Huron DPC participates in five local Santa Clause parades annually, handing out chocolate milk to the excited children. When the pandemic cancelled the parades, the DPC decided to deliver the milk to each school-aged child personally. Nearly 8,000 cartons of milk were donated, with DFO support, last year. The gratifying response and a return to the parades means the DPC looks forward to continuing the donation this year.
Jen and Pete Van Dieten deliver milk to St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Clinton, ON.
6
Left to right: Grey DPC member Simon Pennings, dairy educator Teresa Johnson, and DPC members Allan Clarke and Jon Wiley.
Manitoulin – Sudbury West
Northeastern Ontario producers got into the Christmas spirit last year, donating milk to the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society (AFMHS) for its 14th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration. A donation of 250 small cartons and eight bags of milk cooled off the Tim Hortons hot chocolate the revellers enjoyed.
NiagaraEach summer, Niagara dairy producers host a farm tour, called Niagara Dinner at the Dairy. Local farms open their doors, allowing community members to tour their facilities and see first-hand where their milk comes from. The event typically hosts 2,000 people who are eager to connect with local farmers who answer dozens of questions about operations and encourage consumption of dairy products.
7
Norfolk
The Simcoe Christmas Panorama, with more than 60 displays and 200,000 lights throughout Simcoe parks, was sponsored by Norfolk DPC last December. Visitors could peek into Mrs. Clause’s kitchen where elves were hard at work baking cookies and drinking milk. On the evening of December 17, Norfolk DPC handed out 70 litres of hot chocolate with whip cream and 500 chocolate chip cookies to people strolling by.
Oxford
More than 900 grade four students from Oxford County participated in Dairy Days in October. Students received T-shirts and chocolate milk as they learned all about dairy farming. Oxford DPC funded the event through proceeds from the 2,000 Shaw’s ice cream cones sold at the Embro Truck and Tractor Pull in July.
8
PerthPerth DPC participated in the Perth County IFarm in June in Stratford. More than 520 students from 14 Perth County elementary schools took in the agricultural displays, learning about agriculture and where their food comes from. Local dairy, beef, egg, grain, and pork producers collaborated on the event which was also staffed with volunteers from Gay Lea Dairy Heritage Museum and Farm Safety Association.
Peterborough
Thanksgiving weekend is host to the Norwood Fall Fair in Peterborough County. As a vendor, Peterborough DPC sells milk from Kawartha Dairy, cheese curds from Empire Cheese Factory and ice cream from Central Smith. Thousands of people visit the fair, dropping by the booth for their dairy fix. Maple the cow is a favourite among the children and participates in many photo ops. DPC members take turns operating the booth and chatting with visitors about dairy. This year, DPC Chair Andrew Mann was joined by his son Caleb, who acted as the official milk sample man.
9
Caleb, son of Peterborough DPC Chair, Andrew Mann, staffs the booth.
Perth dairy producers, Jamie Beaumont (left) and Tim Shute (right), chat with students visiting IFarm.
Prescott
Prescott DPC sponsored the U11 Clarence Rockland hockey team near Ottawa this year. In the summer, the DPC searched for small businesses serving ice cream and partnered with them, handing out free ice cream to bring more business to local shops. It was a win-win, boosting sales and promoting dairy. Locations included Broken Kettle in Vankleek Hill, La Barouche in St-Isidore, and Patati Patata in Plantagenet.
In August, the Hammond Optimist Club organized a weekend of activities under the banner, “Hammond Together”. Russell DPC supported the family fun run with a milk donation. It was a celebration of resilience after the community was hit hard during a devastating wind storm on May 21.
10
Russell
Left to right: Marika Cueirrier, Maëlle Wolfe, and Vincent Faubert, youth members of the Hammond Optimist Club.
Wellington
Wellington DPC has a long tradition of attending the Erin Fair to teach the public about dairy and all of its benefits. Visitors line up to enjoy a serving of delicious chocolate milk and kids can see what it’s like to milk a cow by hand.
Wentworth
Wentworth DPC hosted a milk and ice cream booth at Binbrook Fair in September. Proceeds were used to offer 1,500 visitors a Loewith Dairy Farm tour in December, where they also enjoyed hot chocolate and poutine. More than 1,500 people were expected.
11
Brielle DeGraaf and Hannah Watson
Brad Sikkema and Wellington DPC Chair George Van Ankum chat with fair visitors.
Making milk & cookies mean even more.
Proudly donating to SickKids and other Ontario Children’s Hospitals.
