.png)
-
One billion people around the world derive their livelihoods from the dairy sector, including more than 3 million jobs in the U.S. alone.
Why should you care that World Milk Day is today (June 1)?
Many reasons, but here are five that can be quantified:
1. An estimated one billion people around the world derive their livelihoods from the dairy sector (Source: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
According to @FAO 1 billion people rely on the dairy sector for their livelihoods: 600 million live on dairy farms, 400 million rely on full-time jobs in support of the dairy sector. https://t.co/a5D5KB2FPl #WorldMilkDay #EnjoyDairy @WFP @worldfarmersorg @farmingfirst @IFAD @ILRI pic.twitter.com/UMGBoG7WuI
— WorldMilkDay 🥛 (@WorldMilkDay) May 30, 2020
2. In the U.S. alone, the dairy industry creates an economic ripple effect supporting more than 3 million jobs with exports a vital component of the dairy economy (Source: Dairy Delivers℠, IDFA's economic impact tool.)
3. Since the U.S. Dairy Export Council's birth by Dairy Management inc. 25 years ago, U.S. dairy export value has increased 511% (to more than $6 billion last year) while volume has gone up 552% (Source: USDEC).
4. One out of 7 gallons of milk leaving American farms now ends up in dairy products and ingredients sold overseas (USDEC year-end 2019 trade data).
5. USDEC has "boots on the ground" in 10 international offices, helping to open and expand markets for U.S. dairy farmers and suppliers in time zones around-the-clock. Watch them wish you "Happy World Milk Day" in their native languages in the video below (Source: USDEC).
Twitter posts featuring a few of our working reps around the world
Monday, June 1 is #WorldMilkDay and USDEC representatives from Taipei are already celebrating. See them and other reps from around the globe raise a glass: https://t.co/HrTqCuoYWB #EnjoyDairy pic.twitter.com/Dm93pdQWty
— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) May 30, 2020USDEC's representatives in Vietnam are already saying "Happy #WorldMilkDay" in anticipation of the upcoming, June 1 event. See USDEC reps from around the world raise a glass to nature's perfect food. https://t.co/dgaaWv0PFB #EnjoyDairy pic.twitter.com/j52ujFIJUn
— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) May 29, 2020#WorldMilkDay has arrived in the Philippines. See USDEC representatives from around the world raise a glass to nature's most perfect food: https://t.co/PXvjKWEWY6 #EnjoyDairy pic.twitter.com/ctB5DkzsqV
— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) May 31, 2020It is already Monday, June 1 in Thailand, which means it is #WorldMilkDay. See USDEC representatives from around the world raise a glass to nature's most perfect food: https://t.co/IEEeMaSC5q #EnjoyDairy pic.twitter.com/kDKx1gCaIi
— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) May 31, 2020
VIDEO BELOW: USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack and grandchildren, followed by some of our international representatives.
More #WorldMilkDay facts, resources and activitiesCelebrations in Mexico, our No. 1 market
Mexico is the U.S. dairy industry's largest export market, purchasing $1.5 billion of U.S. dairy products and ingredients last year.
The following USDEC activities are set for today (June 1) in Mexico and Central America:
- Virtual webinars: USDEC is co-sponsoring virtual webinars (in conjunction with Mexican and Central American dairy groups) focused on the nutritional benefits of milk and dairy products. National Dairy Council’s Moises Torres Gonzalez will speak at both, addressing the positive correlation of milk and dairy consumption on reducing the incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
- Media coverage: USDEC and Mexican dairy groups are publishing a special section on milk and dairy in the online and print version of the newspaper Reforma. The story will feature a generic U.S. dairy ad.
- Recipes: USDEC is publishing three recipes featuring U.S. cheese on Reforma’s Twitter and Instagram pages.
#Dairy is a nutrient dense, healthy and natural product that is integral to the sustainable food system... let’s #EnjoyDairy on #WorldMilkDay pic.twitter.com/X9F2I4WX46
— International Dairy Federation (@FIL_IDF) May 31, 2020
Global celebration of 20th World Milk DayThese have been challenging times for the world, including the dairy industry, but every country has cause to celebrate World Milk Day.
June 1 will mark the 20th Anniversary of #WorldMilkDay! We are so excited for this milestone in the #dairyindustry and look forward to celebrating with the world! #EnjoyDairy pic.twitter.com/g9hXQlhna6
— WorldMilkDay 🥛 (@WorldMilkDay) April 29, 2020Twenty years ago, World Milk Day was established on June 1 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food, and to celebrate the dairy sector.
Each year since, the benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted around the world, including how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people.
World Milk Day focuses on raising public awareness about the importance of milk as part of a healthy and balanced diet and as an agricultural product. It also aims to highlight the significance of the milk sector and milk producers.
You as an individual can contribute to this important celebration by joining digital campaign using #WorldMilkDay. Please share your stories, moments and experiences about all the goodness of milk and all the people who produce it.
For inspiration and examples of how World Milk Day is being celebrated in other countries, see worldmilkday.org.
Mark O'Keefe is vice president of editorial services at the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
Subscribe to the U.S. Dairy Exporter Blog
The U.S. Dairy Export Council fosters collaborative industry partnerships with processors, trading companies and others to enhance global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients. USDEC is primarily supported by Dairy Management Inc. through the dairy farmer checkoff. How to republish this post.
