ORANGE—As National Dairy Month kicks off in June, shoppers can celebrate by purchasing milk that showcases Orange County dairy farmer Molly Elgin McWilliams on the packaging.
Molly Elgin McWilliams, a Virginia Farm Bureau member, appears alongside her daughter Halle on the new Strawberry Whole Milk cartons from Maola, which hit store shelves on May 5. This packaging approach addresses increasing consumer desire to learn about the origins of their food.
“On the consumer side, content that features our farmers consistently drives the highest engagement, showing how much customers value knowing where their food comes from,” said Amanda Culp, Maola director of communications and marketing. “It makes sense to carry that through to our packaging.”
This farmer-consumer connection holds particular significance in Virginia, where 365 dairy operations house committed farmers who tend their cattle and deliver fresh, premium milk daily, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports. Each dairy cow typically yields approximately 8 gallons of milk per day.
Maola operates as a farmer-owned dairy cooperative that emphasizes the bond between agricultural producers and customers as central to its goal of sustainably creating premium dairy offerings.
“We want our farmers to have pride in the products we are producing,” Culp said. “It’s our duty to be good stewards of their milk.”
The newly launched Maola Strawberry Whole Milk demonstrates this dedication. Produced without artificial coloring, the beverage delivers 8 grams of protein along with 13 vital nutrients. Customers can find the product throughout Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, including at 60 Wegmans stores, 188 Ingles Markets and Sheetz locations.
Dairy items remain crucial components of nutritious eating habits. Milk provides vital nutrients such as protein, calcium and vitamins A and D, which promote strong bones, help regulate blood pressure and may lower the likelihood of certain chronic conditions, U.S. Dairy states.
With rising consumer appetite for high-protein alternatives, Maola has broadened its product selection. The cooperative introduced Maola More in April, an ultra-filtered milk offering 15 grams of protein and 3 grams of prebiotic fiber while containing reduced sugar and being lactose-free. Maola More comes in whole milk and 2% chocolate milk options.
Throughout National Dairy Month, highlighting local producers like McWilliams underscores the essential contribution dairy farmers make in delivering milk from agricultural operations to dining tables daily.
“The package says 100% fresh, 100% local, and it truly is,” Culp said.
Media: Contact Culp at 540-333-9873.
