The Hunger Solutions Institute, an initiative through Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences, will help provide milk to thousands of underserved people.

Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Add Milk! program is  providing healthy, quality milk to more than 100 locations in four states – Alabama, California, Georgia, and South Dakota.

Cindy Long, administrator of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, was excited for the initiative and what it can accomplish.

“The USDA is thrilled to see the launch of our Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive project through the collaborative efforts of Auburn University and dedicated local retailers,” said Long. “The Add Milk! program is bringing healthy, nutritious milk options to Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) consumers and driving economic development in underserved communities.

“It is a win-win for both participants and America’s dairy farmers. We further thank the International Dairy Food Association for their support of the project.”

Opelika store owner Jimmy Wright said the project will promote a more healthy diet and be an overall success.

“Wright’s Market is excited to participate in the USDA Healthy Fluid Milk Initiative in partnership with Hunger Solutions Institute,” Wright said. “Programs such as HFMI allow Wright’s Market to incentivize our SNAP customers to make healthy choices for their diet. The HFMI program will also allow SNAP customers to stretch their dollars further and put more food on the table for their families.

“We have seen great success in other USDA incentive programs and look forward to the HFMI being well received by our customers.”

Hunger Solutions Managing Director Alicia Powers touted collaborations that made the program possible.

“Hunger Solutions Institute is thrilled to expand its leadership of nutrition incentive programs throughout Alabama and to other states in its leadership of Add Milk!” she said. “Nutrition incentive programs, like Add Milk!, are important in helping SNAP households access healthy foods by not only providing financial incentives, but also by collaborating with local, independent retailers who already provide incredible customer service to SNAP households.

“Through strategic promotion, rigorous evaluation and strong partners, Hunger Solutions Institute is honored to lead a nationwide launch of Add Milk!”

The HFMI pilot program was created as part of the 2018 Farm Bill to promote milk as part of a healthy, balanced diet. The funding comes from a nearly $3 million endowment from the USDA. The institute is the only program in the the United States to receive a 2022 HFMI cooperative agreement.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.