Choose PA Dairy — a joint promotional campaign with a goal to increase consumer awareness about the year-round availability of local Pennsylvania milk and its health benefits — announced a new partnership with Girls on the Run (GOTR) across Pennsylvania to promote a healthy lifestyle that includes consuming real milk as part of a nutritious, balanced daily diet. Leaders of both organizations will announce details of the campaign on Nov. 24 at GOTR’s annual 5K event being held at Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pa. GOTR Capital Area selected PA Preferred chocolate milk as the official refuel beverage of the 2019 event.

GOTR inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running, according to the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, one of Choose PA Dairy’s partners. GOTR envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

“Good nutrition is a key to growing healthy young bodies and minds. Each 8-ounce serving of real milk provides a delicious, unrivaled protein and nutrient powerhouse for kids and teenagers,” said Dave Smith, executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. “We’re proud to supply chocolate milk, the official refuel beverage for the race, and to partner with Girls on the Run to further empower girls and young women to make healthy and smart nutrition choices.”

Pennsylvania’s dairy industry pumps $12 billion annually into the state economy and is a key economic driver and job producer in many rural communities across the commonwealth, said the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and GOTC. The new Choose PA Dairy partnership begins with GOTR Capital Area’s event and will spread to other GOTR councils and events statewide throughout the new year.  

“At Girls on the Run, we believe that every girl is inherently full of power and potential. We also know that milk fortifies strong bones and so we are thrilled to partner with Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers and industry leaders to promote good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle for all the girls participating in our programs,” noted Gillian Byerly, executive director of Girls on the Run Capital Area. “We expect thousands of families to gather and celebrate the end of an incredible season this weekend and now they will refuel with delicious, fresh and nutritious PA Preferred chocolate milk!”

To learn more about Choose PA Dairy, visit www.choosepadairy.com. For more information about GOTC, visit https://www.girlsontherun.org.