HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, January 10, 2024 โ Today, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack offered the following statement in support of the U.S. dairy industry ahead of National Milk Day, which will be celebrated on Thursday, January 11. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack visited the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania today. which is the largest indoor agricultural event in the country. While there, he met with several dairy farmers and business owners who are contributing to local and regional food systems in and around Pennsylvania, and announced a $26 million donation. Regional Food Systems Infrastructure grant that will help increase capacity and resilience in downstream supply chain activities, including dairy processing.
โOn National Milk Day, we celebrate the historic moment in 1878, when milk was first delivered to households in sterilized glass bottles, marking a turning point that made milk more accessible and a Vital source of nutrition for families across the country. Our dairy farmers are the unsung heroes behind every glass of milk and work tirelessly to ensure families get essential nutrients on the table. Thanks to their innovation and productivity, high-quality dairy products can be used as a component of nutritious school meals, in food service programs for children and adults, and for families participating in WIC, an important nutrition-based program. evidence that it is gaining new participants at historic levels. Through active support of international trade, specialized safety net programs like the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, popular conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, dedicated Dairy Business Innovation Centers, and more, USDA is is committed to helping the U.S. dairy industry remain competitive and access new and better markets, and keep its family businesses in business for the long term. At USDA, we are honored to work alongside America's dairy farmers as they provide nutritious and necessary dairy products to communities across the country. The next time you enjoy a glass of milk, a slice of cheese or a cup of yogurt, remember that these products are the result of the hard work and dedication of America's dairy farmers.โ
The USDA Economic Research Service reports that in 2022, 226.46 billion pounds of milk were produced in the U.S., generating $57.51 billion (fountain). Milk cash receipts in Pennsylvania reached $2.6 billion in 2022, putting them at their highest level since 2014. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the U.S. dairy industry supports $3.2 million. Of jobs (fountain), including 134,600 jobs in Pennsylvania (fountain).
To learn more about how USDA supports the U.S. dairy industry, check out this infographic and follow USDA on instagram, xand Facebook.
Dairy Infographic (PDF, 15.1 MB)
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