Community Support
Contributing to Food Banks BC
BC’s dairy farmers support their local communities beyond producing high-quality milk. They’ve been involved in nourishing young minds by supporting school breakfast programs, funding sports scholarships and supporting teachers with curriculum-based nutrition education, to name a few.
But did you know dairy farmers in BC have a rich history in donations and community support? Dairy products are one of the top requested items at food banks. And while we’ve supported food banks long before the pandemic, since 2020, BC’s dairy farmers have partnered with Food Banks BC to donate approximately 50,000 kg of dairy products and over $200,000 in cash.
Want to help make a bigger impact for Food Banks BC?
Until 11:59pm on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023, BC’s dairy farmers will match 100% of your donation to Food Banks BC until our goal of $50,000* is met!
*terms and conditions apply.
So much more than milk
Check out how our latest campaign highlights BC’s dairy farmers commitment towards supporting their community.
Meet some of BC’s dairy farmers
Wyatt
Wyatt is a third-generation dairy farmer in Enderby, BC. Taking over the entire farm operations from his father, Wyatt farms with his wife Colleen, milking 110 cows. In his free time, Wyatt volunteers as a firefighter in his community.
Aimee
Seventh-generation dairy farmers, Aimee and her husband Jeremy are milking 65 cows in Maple Ridge, BC and are the province’s oldest dairy farm having been established in 1879. Aimee is passionate about animals and dairy education; holding leadership roles at her local and regional 4H clubs. She also plays soccer on a local women’s team.
Holger
Holger’s parents started dairy farming in Agassiz, BC in June 1960, after immigrating from Germany. Holger has carried on the family legacy and continues to farm on the same land today. Holger and his family have a strong focus on sustainable growth and are committed to giving back to their community.
Carla
Carla is a third-generation dairy farmer from Chilliwack, BC. She farms alongside her brother and father, Carla and her family milk 150 Holstein cows on a property that has been in the family since the 80’s. She loves to coach her daughter’s soccer team and spends her free time in the local forest hiking and maintaining its trails for other community members to enjoy.
Mark
Mark is a third-generation dairy farmer milking 250 cows in an automated milking system in Chilliwack, BC. He is a blueberry grower for part of the year and spends his free time as a volunteer firefighter in his community.
Mickey
Mickey is a fourth-generation dairy farmer milking 100 cows in Vancouver Island, BC, on the family farm that has been in her family since 1930. Mickey farms with her husband and is a busy mom of two whose passion includes competitive rowing and supporting her local community through Food Banks BC.
Ron
Born and raised on a dairy farm in the Netherlands, Ron learned to make Gouda cheese in the city where it was named. After moving to Canada and purchasing his uncle’s farm in Chilliwack, BC, Ron and his family milk 75 cows, and make and sell their cheeses at the on-farm store, Smits & Co.w.
About Food Banks BC
Food Banks BC is the provincial association of food banks. Our membership comprises of 106 hunger relief agencies throughout British Columbia.
We support our members through the provision of resources that assist their efforts to tackle hunger in communities they represent. This is achieved through the distribution of food and financial donations, providing access to training and capacity building programs, networking opportunities, and as a representative voice to speak to the needs of food banks as well as the hundreds of thousands of British Columbians who face ongoing food insecurity.
Our vision is a hunger-free British Columbia.
