MIDDLEBURY — At a time when many Americans are facing unprecedented hardships as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance along with Dairy Farmers of America, Bourdeau Brothers and Pleasant Valley Farms of Berkshire are working to provide nutritious dairy products to Vermont families in need.
The organizations will host two separate giveaways this Friday, May 8 — one in Middlebury and one in St. Albans. 
From noon to 3 p.m. more than 4,000 gallons will be available for pick up at Bourdeau Brothers at 88 Seymour St. in Middlebury or at the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery Store at 138 Federal Street in St. Albans until supplies last. This was made possible by the donation of milk from Dairy Farmers of America.
“Every day, Vermont dairy farmers work hard to provide our neighbors with nutritious dairy products. Across the nation, the number one requested item at food shelves continues to be milk. However, it is the least received due to its perishable nature. At a time when people need it most, I felt we should do whatever possible to help,” said Amanda St. Pierre, executive director of Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance.
Currently, dairy processors find themselves with a surplus of milk due to decline in food services such as restaurants and school cafeterias. Instead of letting milk go to waste, the sponsors listed are working together to get that milk back into the homes of Vermont families.
“As a dairy cooperative owned by family farmers across the country, we are pleased to partner with our members in Vermont to support the communities in which we live and work,” said Jennifer Huson, senior director of Marketing, Council Affairs and Industry Relations for DFA Northeast.
Organizers request that families drive up to either location and stay in their cars while volunteer members from Pleasant Valley Farms and Bourdeau Brothers place the gallon of milk in their trunk to abide by CDC-recommended safety protocols for social distancing. Any remaining milk will be donated to local food shelves that have been previously contacted.