The Dairy Alliance, Virginia State Dairymen's Association, and Farm Credit of the Virginias Expand Milk Dispenser Grant Program for Virginia Schools
More than $155,000 supports early 2026 rollout of sustainable school milk solutions
ATLANTA, GA, January 14, 2026 -- The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, has teamed up with the Virginia State Dairymen's Association (VSDA) and Farm Credit of the Virginias to advance the Milk Dispenser (MD) Grant Program for K–12 schools across the Commonwealth. Combined funding totaling $155,000 will support new grant awards scheduled for early 2026.
The initiative includes a $115,000 grant from the Van der Lely Foundation, a $30,000 contribution from VSDA supporting Virginia K–12 school districts statewide, and a $10,000 sponsorship from Farm Credit of the Virginias dedicated to K–12 schools in Southwest Virginia. All funding supports the MD Grant Program, covering milk dispenser equipment and kits that help schools transition away from single-use milk cartons.
Through the partnership, VSDA will administer MD grants in collaboration with The Dairy Alliance, directing resources toward equipment, training, and technical support for participating school nutrition teams. The program helps schools enhance the milk experience for students while supporting sustainability goals and reducing cafeteria waste.
"The Milk Dispenser Grant Program gives schools the tools and support they need to make real dairy milk more accessible for students," said Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance. "When schools remove barriers and modernize how they serve real dairy milk, students drink more of it and build healthier habits that last beyond the cafeteria."
The Dairy Alliance's Youth Wellness team works closely with school nutrition directors to support implementation and promote the nutritional benefits of real dairy milk. Grant funding removes a key barrier for schools by offsetting equipment costs and providing hands-on guidance throughout installation and operation.
"Strong partnerships help schools deliver real dairy milk in a way that connects with students and supports local dairy farmers," said Eric Paulson, executive director of the Virginia State Dairymen's Association. "This combined investment allows more Virginia schools to participate in a proven program as they plan for the 2026 school year."
Milk dispenser programs continue delivering measurable results across the Southeast. Nearly three-quarters of children ages two through eighteen fall short of recommended daily dairy intake. At one early-adopting Virginia school, milk packaging waste dropped nearly 90 percent while milk consumption climbed more than 50 percent. Schools participating in MD grant programs consistently report an average milk movement increase of at least 14 percent.
With this combined funding, the MD Grant Program will expand into additional Virginia cities and counties beginning in early 2026. Ongoing data collection will track environmental impact, milk usage, and student engagement throughout the grant period.
School nutrition directors and administrators interested in MD grants can contact Roseanne Liberatore with The Dairy Alliance at rliberatore@thedairyalliance.com for more information.
For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @TheDairyAlliance.
About The Dairy Alliance
The Dairy Alliance is a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families of the Southeast. We work diligently with dairy farmers, schools, sports teams, health professionals, local organizations, state leaders, the media, and the public to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry. Our efforts center in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
About the Virginia State Dairymen's Association (VSDA)
The Virginia State Dairymen's Association is the statewide voice for dairy farmers, working to strengthen an industry that has shaped Virginia's rural communities for generations. The VSDA is a member organization founded in 1907 to represent and promote the dairy industry in Virginia. VSDA is committed to ensuring a profitable and sustainable dairy across the Commonwealth.
About Farm Credit
Farm Credit supports agriculture and rural communities by providing reliable financial services and community-focused investments. Through partnerships and sponsorships, Farm Credit helps strengthen local food systems, support youth nutrition initiatives, and invest in the long-term success of rural America.
About the Van der Lely Foundation
The Van der Lely Foundation is an independent initiative of the Van der Lely family, rooted in their firm conviction to contribute to a better world through entrepreneurship and innovation. The foundation is ANBI-registered and aims to support initiatives in the areas of education in science, entrepreneurship, innovation and technology; healthcare; climate and sustainability; arts and culture. Visit vanderlelyfoundation.com for more information and to submit project proposals.
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The initiative includes a $115,000 grant from the Van der Lely Foundation, a $30,000 contribution from VSDA supporting Virginia K–12 school districts statewide, and a $10,000 sponsorship from Farm Credit of the Virginias dedicated to K–12 schools in Southwest Virginia. All funding supports the MD Grant Program, covering milk dispenser equipment and kits that help schools transition away from single-use milk cartons.
Through the partnership, VSDA will administer MD grants in collaboration with The Dairy Alliance, directing resources toward equipment, training, and technical support for participating school nutrition teams. The program helps schools enhance the milk experience for students while supporting sustainability goals and reducing cafeteria waste.
"The Milk Dispenser Grant Program gives schools the tools and support they need to make real dairy milk more accessible for students," said Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance. "When schools remove barriers and modernize how they serve real dairy milk, students drink more of it and build healthier habits that last beyond the cafeteria."
The Dairy Alliance's Youth Wellness team works closely with school nutrition directors to support implementation and promote the nutritional benefits of real dairy milk. Grant funding removes a key barrier for schools by offsetting equipment costs and providing hands-on guidance throughout installation and operation.
"Strong partnerships help schools deliver real dairy milk in a way that connects with students and supports local dairy farmers," said Eric Paulson, executive director of the Virginia State Dairymen's Association. "This combined investment allows more Virginia schools to participate in a proven program as they plan for the 2026 school year."
Milk dispenser programs continue delivering measurable results across the Southeast. Nearly three-quarters of children ages two through eighteen fall short of recommended daily dairy intake. At one early-adopting Virginia school, milk packaging waste dropped nearly 90 percent while milk consumption climbed more than 50 percent. Schools participating in MD grant programs consistently report an average milk movement increase of at least 14 percent.
With this combined funding, the MD Grant Program will expand into additional Virginia cities and counties beginning in early 2026. Ongoing data collection will track environmental impact, milk usage, and student engagement throughout the grant period.
School nutrition directors and administrators interested in MD grants can contact Roseanne Liberatore with The Dairy Alliance at rliberatore@thedairyalliance.com for more information.
For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @TheDairyAlliance.
About The Dairy Alliance
The Dairy Alliance is a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families of the Southeast. We work diligently with dairy farmers, schools, sports teams, health professionals, local organizations, state leaders, the media, and the public to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry. Our efforts center in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
About the Virginia State Dairymen's Association (VSDA)
The Virginia State Dairymen's Association is the statewide voice for dairy farmers, working to strengthen an industry that has shaped Virginia's rural communities for generations. The VSDA is a member organization founded in 1907 to represent and promote the dairy industry in Virginia. VSDA is committed to ensuring a profitable and sustainable dairy across the Commonwealth.
About Farm Credit
Farm Credit supports agriculture and rural communities by providing reliable financial services and community-focused investments. Through partnerships and sponsorships, Farm Credit helps strengthen local food systems, support youth nutrition initiatives, and invest in the long-term success of rural America.
About the Van der Lely Foundation
The Van der Lely Foundation is an independent initiative of the Van der Lely family, rooted in their firm conviction to contribute to a better world through entrepreneurship and innovation. The foundation is ANBI-registered and aims to support initiatives in the areas of education in science, entrepreneurship, innovation and technology; healthcare; climate and sustainability; arts and culture. Visit vanderlelyfoundation.com for more information and to submit project proposals.
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