Connecting dairy’s story and products with consumers is a key ingredient when partnering with retail stores. Earlier this fall, Midwest Dairy was recognized for its great efforts in this area by a leading Midwest retailer.
Cub, a grocery store chain with more than 100 locations in Minnesota and Illinois, awarded Midwest Dairy with a 2022 Vendor of the Year award on Sept. 7 during Cub’s annual vendor summit.
Led by its National Dairy Month activities, which featured Minnesota Dairy Ambassadors and Princess Kay of the Milky Way engaging with consumers about dairy farming and the goodness of milk, is a driving force behind why Midwest Dairy received this award.
In early June, Princess Kay and Minnesota Dairy Ambassadors hosted an ice cream social at a recently rebuilt Cub in Minneapolis after it had been damaged due to civil unrest. Midwest Dairy and Cub used this event to thank residents for their support, boost community morale and give people the opportunity to sample great-tasting dairy products.
On social media, live Facebook and Instagram events led by Midwest Dairy and two Minnesota Dairy Ambassadors, Luke Borst and Brenna Connelly, also illustrated consumer engagement. Examples of engagements included the “A Day in the Life of a Dairy Farmer,” which showcased a typical day of chores on a local dairy farm, along with the “Ask me Anything” segment that allowed consumers to ask the dairy ambassadors questions about dairy farming and dairy products.
Charles Krause, a Minnesota dairy farmer, who also serves as a Midwest Dairy corporate board member, says it is gratifying to see how the dedicated staff at Midwest Dairy effectively work with retailers, like Cub, to move more sustainable dairy products to consumers.
“The insights staff provides to retailers help them make better decisions on marketing dairy to the consumers,” Krause says. “It’s a win-win for the grocery store and dairy farmer.”
Scott Gilray, Midwest Dairy director of demand, stated they were honored to be recognized at this level by Cub.
“We know creating these relationships with retailers puts dairy farmers’ dollars to good use by building consumer trust and driving dairy demand,” Gilray said.
He, along with Martha Kemper, vice president of demand, accepted this award on behalf of Midwest Dairy.
“These opportunities – whether in person or virtual – allow consumers to get a more personalized view of dairy farming and how products in the grocery store are made,” Gilray said. “We are so thankful to be able to partner with retailers like Cub who appreciate farmers’ work and the nutritious products they make.”
Midwest Dairy represents 4,800 dairy farm families throughout their 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.
