blueberries on yogurt

Dairy MAX 2019 Year in Review

mike konkle headshot

Dairy MAX farmers and friends, 

In 2019 Dairy MAX continued working on behalf of dairy farmers to build understanding of dairy as a healthy and sustainable choice, connect the role of dairy farmers to family tables and ultimately drive sales and trust. Dairy MAX now proudly serves over 900 dairy farm families across Colorado, southwest Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. We aim to bring unification and efficient programming across the eight-state region, driving an even stronger return on investment.

This year brought several exciting new milestones accomplished at regional and local levels. Research, initiated by Dairy MAX, showcased chocolate milk outperforming commercial sports drinks with high school athletes and was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Our health and wellness initiatives reached 3,706 health professionals who have the potential to impact over 13 million consumers. Telling Your Story provided media training to dairy farmers and stakeholders and expanded to universities to help cultivate a new generation of dairy advocates. And schools in the Dairy MAX region that completed the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) program reached 36% of the national total.

It also brought familiar successes. In 2019 we:

  • Continued partnering with organizations from restaurants to sports teams to encourage healthy dairy enjoyment
  • Protected dairy’s place in school nutrition through youth wellness programs like FUTP 60
  • Promoted consumer confidence online and in person
  • Educated health professionals so they can pass the good news about dairy to their patients
  • Helped dairy farmers tell their stories through farm tours, community events and platforms like Our Land, Our Cows, Our Passion™  

We collaborated further with national checkoff efforts to help the industry speak with one voice and move the needle for dairy. We worked with national restaurant partner Pizza Hut to host a crisis drill at their headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Dairy MAX also supported the Undeniably Dairy campaign to help tell the dairy story by amplifying national efforts, as well as activating our own local content and events.

On behalf of the Dairy MAX board of directors and staff, I want to thank you for your contribution to the industry and local communities. We are proud of the successes accomplished in 2019 and are excited for what is to come this year as we continue promoting the goodness of dairy. 

Mike Konkle

Chief Executive Officer

Key Successes

8.9M

Social Media Impressions

3,706

Health Professionals Educated About Dairy's Role in a Balanced Diet

638,000

More School Meals Consumed Through Dairy Optimization Programs

We’re a connected group of experts in dairy farming, education, health and wellness, and business, who are fanatical about the power of dairy. We work for dairy farmers – building understanding around dairy as a healthy, beneficial, everyday food choice; connecting the role of the dairy farmer to American tables; and driving an increase in dairy consumption.

School Marketing

597

Schools Completed FUTP 60 Program (36% of National Total)

638,000

More School Meals Consumed Through Dairy Optimization Programs

21%

Increase in Milk Pounds Through Dairy Optimization Programs

We promote balanced, dairy-inclusive nutrition in schools to start pro-dairy habits early.

Corporate Communications

2.3M

Dairy Discovery Zone Visitors To-Date

8.9M

Social Media Impressions

452,000

Online Video Views

We promote consumer confidence in dairy online and in person by sharing everything from research to recipes.

Health and Wellness

62

Events

3,706

Health Professionals Educated

13.6M

Consumers Impacted

We educate health professionals including dietitians and physicians – so they can pass the good news about dairy on to their patients.

Business Development

2,645

Coaches Reached with BUILT w/ Chocolate Milk Education

3,535

Athletes Provided Access to Chocolate Milk Through Champions are BUILT Coolers

88.5M

Reached as Official Nutrition Partner of the Dallas Cowboys

We partner with a variety of organizations, from restaurants to sports leagues and teams, to encourage healthy dairy enjoyment.

Industry Image and Relations

39,585

Lives Impacted by 13,195 Units of Blood Collected During Passion for Pints Drives

275

Farmers, Stakeholders and University Students Attended Telling Your Story Training

7,050

Farm Tour Kit Packets Distributed to Students

We help dairy farmers tell their stories through farm tours, community activities and platforms like Our Land, Our Cows, Our Passion™.

By the Numbers

 

School Marketing

Fuel Up to Play 60, Dairy Dollars for Schools, Youth Wellness Activities

Corporate Communications

Dairy Discovery Zone Exhibit, Websites, Social and Digital Media Marketing

Health and Wellness

Nutrition Research and Affairs Programs

Business Development

Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships

Industry Image and Relations

Producer Relations and Communications, Dairy Image, Issues and Crisis Management

Administrative