Powered by Georgia Dairy

Great Georgia Give Makes Its First Stop In Atlanta

Great Georgia Give logo over image of two hands holding a glass of milk

As the world grapples with a temporary new normal filled with social distancing and economic uncertainty, Georgia’s dairy farmers have stepped to the plate to generously donate 24,000 half gallons of milk to hospitals and first responders across the state.

On April 24, 2020, the Great Georgia Give initiative kicked off in Atlanta to benefit frontline workers and staff who have been putting themselves first during the COVID-19 pandemic. This four-week philanthropic community effort is led by the Dairy Farmers of America in partnership with Kroger, Georgia Department of Agriculture and Centennial Farms Dairy.

“We are extremely proud to work with our partners on Great Georgia Give,” said Paul Johnson, Georgia dairy farmer and board chairman of Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Milk. “Our first responders have risked so much of themselves in order to save so many. Our Georgia dairy farmers are proud to be able to bring them some relief and put milk in their refrigerators to help their families.”

With stops planned for Macon, Augusta and Savannah along the way, the Great Georgia Give also aims to help dairy farmers navigate the supply chain interruptions and subsequent milk dumping by giving their locally sourced milk to those who need it most.

“Now more than ever, preventing waste in the food chain is crucial,” said Kroger Atlanta Division President Tim Brown. “The Great Georgia Give aligns with Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan to end hunger and eliminate waste in our communities by connecting a great product with great heroes.

The Great Georgia Give, which will take place in Macon the week of April 27, was planned and coordinated for Milk on My Mind, a dairy awareness program initiated and funded by Georgia Dairy Farmers through the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Commission for Milk.

image shows two men wearing masks holding half gallons of mik in front of crates of milk
Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Kroger representative Felix Turner deliver half-gallons of local Georgia milk to Atlanta’s frontline workers.