Here are a few stories about your dairy checkoff programs in North Carolina. If you have any questions or need promotional materials please contact me.
Elizabeth Moretz  emoretz@sedairy.org 828-406-9482
Summer Feeding Programs Help Move Milk in Rowan County
The ADA of North Carolina helped Rowan Salisbury Schools with a very successful USDA Summer Feeding program. The school system offered summer meals at over 100 different sites across the county by teaming up with local churches, community groups and the public library. The ADA of North Carolina provided equipment to help transport cold milk, and these coolers will continue to be used during the school year. In 2016, Rowan Salisbury schools fed 55 percent more children and used 80 percent more milk than in 2015. Almost 136,000 meals and 124,000 half pints of milk were served this summer. That means over 66,600 pounds of milk moved, thanks to Summer Feeding in Rowan County!
 
Photo: Children in Rowan County had access to nutritious meals, including cold milk, thanks to a partnership between USDA Summer Feeding programs and dairy farmers.
Panthers' Sports Dietitian Attends Dairy Media Training
Jennifer Brunelli, the sports dietitian for the Carolina Panthers and supporter of dairy and Fuel Up to Play 60, attended a SUDIA-sponsored advanced media training workshop on August 11. The training was led by nationally-known trainer Joan Horbiak and focused on the role of dairy in the new Dietary Guidelines and how to promote on television and in magazines and newspapers. As a dairy advocate, Brunelli promotes chocolate milk to her professional athletes as an excellent refuel beverage after practices and games.

Photo: Carolina Panthers' sports dietitian Jennifer Brunelli (left) works with Joan Horbiak (right) at the dairy media training. 
Dairy Promoted at Carolina Panthers
Pre-Season Celebration 
On August 26 ADA of North Carolina staffers participated in the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) Kids' Combine at the Bank of America Stadium during the Panthers in the Park pre-season celebration. There were over 300 fans participating in NFL combine-style activities and challenges while learning about FUTP 60, healthy diets and dairy. Due to your ADA of North Carolina partnership, the Panthers are the only NFL team with a permanent area focused on FUTP 60 and the area is open prior to all home games. The ADA of North Carolina helps sponsor the Kids' Combine throughout the season by partnering with local processors to provide chocolate milk and dairy- related materials.

Photo: Fans learn about the importance of dairy at the Panthers in the Park celebration at the Bank of America stadium in Charlotte.
Milk Sponsorship at Olympic Games is a Big Success 
White milk made a splash this summer as the Milk LifeĀ® campaign supported Team USA as an official sponsor of the 2016 Summer Olympic games. The Milk LifeĀ® campaign is part of the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP) which is funded by the nation's milk companies. White milk was promoted through contests, in-store promotions, television, digital and print ads as well as social media.
With the support of Team Milk athletes and the entire dairy industry, Milk Life was listed among the top five brands for social media engagement during the Summer Games in Rio. Milk Life ranked #4, above Proctor & Gamble and just after Nike, Coke and United. With this high-profile media coverage and the support of industry partners, we're off to a powerful start in what is only the first year of the Olympic sponsorship. Click here to read more about the results of the sponsorship.