Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, in partnership with the Arden Hills, Minn.-based Land O’Lakes Foundation, distributed 2,160 gallons of Maola milk in New Windsor, Md., on May 30, 2020.

Thanks to a grant from the Land O’Lakes Foundation, Reston, Va.-based Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers teamed up with Hoober Inc. and the New Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, along with local dairy farmers. Volunteers handed out fresh Maola milk at the New Windsor Fire Hall, the cooperative said. Local residents received 2 gallons of milk per car. More than 1,200 gallons were given out at the event. The rest of the milk was distributed to local food pantries and food banks.

Maryland & Virginia and Land O’Lakes dairy farmers spearheaded the effort to come together for this joint effort to help their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m glad to work with my local fellow farmers and community organizations to help ensure that people in need can receive a wholesome product,” said dairy farmer and Maryland & Virginia President Matt Hoff. “Aside from producing healthy dairy products, coming together to help our neighbors in a time of need what we do best.”

The Land O’Lakes Foundation provided a $5,000 Mid-Atlantic Program grant to the New Windsor Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of Maola milk, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative said. The foundation’s Mid-Atlantic Program supports nonprofit organizations in member communities throughout the region.

“Advocating for and supporting the places that produce and deliver the food for this country has always been our Foundation’s priority. Current circumstances have only reinforced how much more needs to be done," said Morgan Kinross-Wright, vice president of community relations and executive director of the Land O’Lakes Foundation. "We're taking every opportunity we can to support our resilient rural communities — our frontline employees and our farmer member owners.”