Dairy brings more than just nutrition to the table (but it is pretty nutritious)

It’s National Dairy Month and you know what that means: It’s socially acceptable to eat ice cream every day!

Well, maybe not every day. But what better time of year to break out that aged parmesan you’ve been saving or your family’s secret fettuccini recipe or that ice cream maker you promised you’d put to use?

June Dairy Month has been an annual commemoration of dairy farmers and their cows since 1937 and is a celebration of the way dairy foods boost our nutrition, culture, economy, and history.

Don’t believe it does all that? Keep reading.

Nutrition

Dairy’s nutritional value is indisputable. Even if one is lactose intolerant, they can often find reprieve in consuming dairy products that are “lactose free.”

Dairy products contain essential vitamins and nutrients we need such as calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and protein. Americans are encouraged to eat three servings of dairy foods per day to stay ahead of long-term health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Thanks, cows!

Culture

Dairy foods play a significant roll in American culture. Cheese in particular (thanks to Social Media’s aesthetic elevation of charcuterie boards—but even before that) is an unspoken must-serve at social gatherings, from holiday get-togethers to wine tastings to watch parties and everything in between.

If you aren’t a fine wine and cheese board fan, odds are you still consume dairy by way of cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, pizza, whole milk iced lattes, ice cream sundaes, or myriad other iconic American milk-based dishes. There’s no escaping the udder!

Economy

According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the dairy industry supports more than 3 million U.S. jobs and $198 billion in wages. That’s a lot of labor!

The IDFA has also reported that dairy contributes more than $779 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

Their website states, “[This] economic activity stays close to home, powering main streets, supporting small businesses, and helping rural America thrive. Dairy businesses are the lifeblood of American communities, and they share a commitment to giving back to those local communities they operate in.”

Okay, milk!

History

Dairy farms and farmers run deep in the United States of America.

Like, four centuries deep.

Historical records with the National Agriculture Library have it that dairy has been a part of American livelihood since the early 1600s. With all that ancestral dairying just waiting to be lived up to, what’s stopping us from supporting dairy farmers both down the road and across state lines?

Modern family farm legacies in the dairy industry run deep, too. Aren’t sure of the ones in your area? Do a quick internet search to discover what lasting legacies lie next door. Who knows—you might become inspired to start your own dairy operation.

(At the very least, we’ll bet you’ll be inspired to purchase a sweet or savory milk-based treat. Either way, we thank you for your support.)

Because of all these benefits dairy brings, and more, the food group and its producers can be celebrated every day of the week and every week of the month! (We aren’t biased...)

Join in on some final June Dairy Month celebrations this weekend, and share your favorite dairy-filled recipes with us by sending them to katiec@hoardscreamery.com.