Real milk takes the spotlight on World Milk Day, always on June 1. The day is intended to bring attention to activities connecting the dairy sector.
The annual observance is marked with events across the globe: milking demonstrations and farm visits; games and competitions; concerts; distribution of milk products; and conferences, seminars and information sharing.
Did you know: The dairy sector supports more than one billion people’s livelihoods. More than six billion people globally consume dairy products, making it a $413.8 billion market.
China is the fastest-growing dairy market. Europe, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina are the primary dairy-producing countries.
However, drinking milk in the U.S. has been on the decline since about 2000. In the 1980s, more than 50 percent of the dairy products regulated by the USDA was beverage milk. By 2015, that had dropped to 33 percent. Prompting the downward trend, according to market watchers, is the annual decline in the market consumption of ready-to-eat cereals. (source: American Farm Bureau)
WORLD MILK DAY HISTORY
In 2001, the United Nations selected June 1 as World Milk Day to celebrate the essential contributions of the dairy sector to sustainability, economic development, livelihoods, and nutrition.
Watch for local promotions of dairy products in your area and take advantage of specials. Visit the website https://worldmilkday.org/ to learn more about the day. Use the social media tags #WorldMilkDay, #RaiseAGlass to be part of the trending popularity on World Milk Day.
National Dairy Month in June celebrates the many contributions of the dairy industry to our health and economy.
Dairy products contribute to our health in numerous ways. An 8-ounce glass of milk has more nutrients than the same serving size of juice. It’s packed with protein, too. And cheese is udderly delicious!
Here’s a list of popular dairy products you might find during Dairy Month:
Milk (whole, skim, 2%, lactose-free, flavored)
Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, provolone, feta, blue cheese)
These are just a few examples of the dairy products you might come across during Dairy Month. Keep in mind that availability may vary depending on your location and personal preferences.
Beyond the benefits that go into our bodies, the dairy industry fuels our economy. From the farmer and cheese production to distribution and the grocers who stock their shelves with products there’s a non-stop demand for all the delicious ways we enjoy dairy products.
HISTORY
National Dairy Month began in 1937 to promote dairy products. The Dairy Council sponsors the month.
Savor the recipes made with dairy all month long. Visit a dairy farm and thank a farmer. Pick up your favorite cheeses or have some frozen yogurt. Learn the difference between whipping cream and half and half. Take a tour of an ice cream factory. What’s your favorite dairy?
The Allure of April: A Celebration of Renewal, Reflection, and Rebirth
Welcome to April, the golden child of the spring season. There is a distinct magic that happens this month—a shift in the atmosphere that feels both energetic and serene. The last whispers of winter have faded, and the world outside our windows is waking up in full force. The trees are budding, the bulbs we planted months ago are finally blooming into tulips and daffodils, and the daylight stretches longer into the evening, inviting us to spend more time outdoors. April doesn’t just mark the continuation of spring; it feels like the true starting line for the year ahead. It’s a time of gentle momentum, where we are encouraged to clear out the cobwebs—both literally in our homes and metaphorically in our minds—and make space for the color and light that this month promises to deliver.
Beyond the holidays, the true allure of April lies in the season itself. This is a month that engages all five senses. It’s the sound of birdsong returning in the early morning and the gentle patter of a “April shower” against the window. It’s the sight of cherry blossoms painting the streets pink and white, and the bright green “fuzz” of new leaves on bare branches. It’s the smell of wet earth and fresh grass after a spring rain—a scent so unique it actually has a name: petrichor. As the weather warms, we trade our heavy coats for light jackets and our comfort food cravings for fresh salads and citrus. April invites us to reconnect with nature, to take the long way home, and to simply pause and appreciate the beauty of growth happening all around us.
For many, Easter is the emotional and spiritual heart of April. Whether you observe the holiday for its religious significance or embrace its secular traditions, it is a day centered on themes that perfectly mirror the month: hope, renewal, and joy. There’s a special kind of charm in preparing for Easter Sunday. It might involve hosting a brunch featuring a glazed ham and hot cross buns, or watching the children dash across a dew-soaked lawn in search of hidden eggs and chocolate baskets. It is a day that encourages gathering, whether you are dressing up in your pastel best for a church service or sitting around a table with loved ones. Easter reminds us to look for the sweetness in life, to celebrate new beginnings, and to welcome the light back into the world.
April also plays host to two very different, yet equally significant, types of celebrations: personal milestones and planetary awareness. To all the April babies—the Aries and the Taurus—this is your time to shine. There is something wonderful about having a birthday during such a vibrant month; it feels like the whole world has put on a floral display just for you. As you celebrate your own trip around the sun, you’ll also be celebrating the birthday of our planet on April 22nd. Earth Day serves as an important collective reminder of our role as stewards of this beautiful world. It’s a wonderful opportunity to align your personal new year with actions that benefit the earth—whether that’s planting a tree, starting a compost bin, or simply participating in a local park cleanup. It’s a beautiful synergy: as we celebrate our own lives, we also honor the planet that sustains us.
Notable Birthdays
· William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564): England’s most famous playwright and poet. · Charlotte Brontë (April 21, 1816): British novelist who wrote Jane Eyre. · Harper Lee (April 28, 1926): American author of the classic To Kill a Mockingbird. · Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928): American poet and civil rights activist.
Charlie Chaplin (April 16, 1889): English silent film star and director. · Eddie Murphy (April 3, 1961): American comedian and star of Beverly Hills Cop. · Robert Downey Jr. (April 4, 1965): American actor famous for playing Iron Man.
Jackie Chan (April 7, 1954): Hong Kong martial artist and actor known for his stunt work (while primarily an actor, his martial arts skills place him here). · K. LeRoy Irvin (April 3, 1957): Former American NFL cornerback and Super Bowl champion. · Joe Welch (April 3, 1963): Former American MLB pitcher.
Queen Elizabeth II (April 21, 1926): Longest-reigning British monarch. · Booker T. Washington (April 5, 1856): American educator, author, and advisor to presidents. · Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743): Third U.S. President and author of the Declaration of Independence.
As we journey through these next few weeks, let’s allow the spirit of April to inspire us. Let’s embrace the showers because we know they bring the flowers. Let’s gather for Easter, celebrate the Earth, and raise a glass to the Aries and Taurus souls marking another year. April isn’t just a month on the calendar; it’s a feeling—an optimistic, breezy, and colorful feeling. So, open the windows, let the fresh air in, and step outside to enjoy the show. After all, the world is blooming, and we get to bloom right along with it.
Happy April, everyone! How are you welcoming the new season? Let me know in the comments below!
Each year on September 27th folks enjoy a tall, frosty glass to celebrate National Chocolate Milk Day.
In the late 1680s, an Irish-born physician by the name of Sir Hans Sloane invented the chocolatey beverage. When offered the position of personal physician to an English Duke in Jamaica, Sloane jumped at the opportunity. Jamaica interested the naturalist in him.
While in Jamaica, Sloane encountered a local beverage. The locals mixed cocoa and water together. However, when Sloane tasted it, he reported the flavor to be nauseating. After some experimentation, the doctor found a way to combine cocoa with milk. The creamy combination made it a more pleasant-tasting drink. Years later, Sloane returned to England with the chocolate recipe in hand. Initially, apothecaries introduced the concoction as a medicine.
Generations later, chocolate milk lovers enjoy their treat in a variety of ways. It can be purchased premixed by the jug or individual serving. For a custom mix, powders and syrups allow us to make it as chocolatey as we like at home.
When it comes to enjoying chocolate milk, there are so many ways to do it. Premix or powder? How about chocolate syrup? We can also choose from skim, 2% and whole milk. And don’t forget almond, cashew, coconut or oat milk. Which one mixes up the best chocolate milk?
Mix up some chocolate milk to drink. Invite a friend to enjoy the celebration with you. Besides, the best way to #CelebrateEveryDay is with others. Share your celebration using #ChocolateMilkDay on social media.
