Here is a summary of some of the dairy promotion activities and events across the state in the past month. If you need information about events or materials, please contact Sarah-Baker Walker. [email protected]
Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation Host
Annual Fundraiser
On March 31 the ADA of Georgia joined other dairy industry partners at Lane Creek Golf Club in Bishop to support the Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation. Over 76 golfers participated and helped raise funds that will be used by the foundation to execute dairy-focused events for youth across the state. SUDIA and the ADA of Georgia are happy to be a part of the event and support the future leaders of dairy.

Photo: Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation student leaders show appreciation to all the events sponsors at the 2017 Golf Tournament in Bishop. (Photo courtesy of GMP)
Georgia Dietitians Get the Facts About Dairy Milk vs. Milk Alternatives
On March 15 staff members Lanier Dabruzzi and Julie Wilkinson attended the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) annual meeting in Savannah and spoke with 120 Georgia dietitians about the importance of dairy in the diet. They focused specifically on the comparison of cow's milk versus milk alternatives and also discussed lactose intolerance and child nutrition.

Photo: Staff member Lanier Dabruzzi speaks with GAND president Ellen Steinberg at the annual meeting in Savannah. 
Health Benefits of Dairy Promoted to
Atlanta Students
On March 25, SUDIA staff members joined dietitians from Emory and Atlanta Falcons mascot Freddie Falcon to promote dairy at the annual Atlanta Public Schools' School Wellness Event and Health Fair at Sylvan Hills Middle School. Over 300 students had the opportunity to learn about dairy and the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) program, ask the dietitians questions and win prizes by answering nutrition trivia questions or performing a physical activity. 

Photo: Staffer Alicia Page (right) and Freddie Falcon help promote FUTP 60 and dairy at Sylvan Hills Middle School.  
St Patrick's Day is a Day for Dairy
On March 15 staff member Lanier Dabruzzi appeared on WTOC-TV Mid-Morning Live in Savannah to share healthy dairy snacks for St. Patrick's Day. Recipes included Green Machine Smoothies. 
Click the links to view Part 1  and Part 2  of the segment.

Photo: Staff member Lanier Dabruzzi (center) discusses healthy dairy treats to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the hosts of WTOC-TV Mid- Morning Live in Savannah.  
Checkoff Partnership Helps Increase Demand
for Butter
As our checkoff partnership with McDonald's continues to create increased demand for dairy products, that increase is spreading to restaurants across the category.  For example, now that McDonald's has made the switch to butter, other restaurants are following suit. As the checkoff's work with partners continues, the increased use of butter and other dairy products on menus is likely to expand further. Click here to read more about the popularity of butter. Click here to see the commercial featuring butter in Burger King's new sandwich. 
Southeast Dairy Farmer Featured in Progressive Dairyman
Last month we covered Alabama dairy farmer Will Gilmer's attendance at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas and now his account of the event was featured in a recent issue of Progressive Dairyman. Click here to read his perspective of the festival and why it was important for dairy farmers to be represented. 

Photo: Alabama dairy farmer Will Gilmer (left) and Michigan dairy farmer Corby Werth were two of eight dairy farmers to attend South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival on behalf of the dairy industry.