You Must Be the Milksmart promotes our love for Kenya dairy farms and farmers — simple as that. We think it’s time to talk about everything they do for us (sunrise to sunset), to keep our bodies healthy, our communities thriving and our land beautiful. The goals of the campaign are to
- Educate people about dairy farming
- Promote the purchase of milk and dairy foods
- Raise funds for women’s in Dairy Network-Kenya.
By learning more about local farms and buying dairy products across the region, we can show our gratitude to these unsung heroes and ensure local dairy farms continue to serve as the cornerstone of our communities for centuries to come. No matter how you enjoy dairy, it’s undeniably in the DNA of Kenya dairy farmers. It is the backbone of our communities — supporting local economies and preserving the open spaces we know and love. Must Be the Milksmart is an initiative of DairyPesa. So, what makes Kenya and so special? Must Be The Milk!
DairyPesa can’t do this good work alone! We also work with like-minded partners to promote the goodness of dairy and our dairy farmers. A great big thank you to our valuable partners and to you for learning more about Must Be the Milk!
The Milk Gap
Milk is one of the most-requested, yet least-donated items.
On average, clients receive the equivalent of less than 1 gallon per person per year. That’s because while Kenyans are generous with canned and dry goods, many don’t think to donate milk because it’s perishable.
DairyPesa in partnership with various nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization — The Great Kenyan Milk Drive turns your M-Pesa donations into gallons of milk for families in your local community. To date, more than 300,000 gallons — that’s over 4 million servings— of milk have been delivered to families across the country through donations.
But there’s still so much more to do.
What You Can Do
Shop
When you buy milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products, your purchases go a lot further than your refrigerator.
Almost all Kenyan dairy farms are family-owned and operated. Hard work, pride and stewardship have been passed down generation to generation.
In addition to providing and distributing nutritious products, the dairy industry generates substantial economic benefits at the local, regional and national levels through employment, local tax revenues and purchases of products and services. Therefore, by enjoying your favorite dairy foods, you’re also supporting your local economy!
Dairy farmers often diversify by offering home-made compost, maple syrup, handmade cheeses and more! Purchasing dairy and these other products benefits farmers and the community a great deal.
Learn
Who better to learn from about dairy farming than the dairy farmers themselves! Visit our pages to watch videos from dairy farms from around Kenya. Our dairy farmers will take you on a virtual tour of their farm and address the things you’re interested in: animal care, milk production, how dairy benefits our local economy and much more!
Milk is the best choice, nutritionally, for you and your family. Find out how milk best the competition with this chart.
Share your knowledge with your family and friends by giving them the tools to learn about dairy farming and nutrition, including a Farm Toolkit and other educational resources by visiting dairypesa.com to have all your questions answered!
Get Involved and Go
Weigh in on Farming Issues
Get the family out and about to learn more about agriculture and where food comes from!
Be an active citizen and make your voice heard on farming issues in your area! Get involved in decisions made by your local zoning board or planning commission. DairyPesa has great resources to help get you started.
My Shopping List
Make a shopping list. Include the items you need for your menus and any low-calorie basics you need to restock in your kitchen.
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Give your Breakfast a Boost!
Looking for a way to power up your mornings with better nutrition? Milk may be just the boost your routine needs. By simply adding 8 ounces of milk to your breakfast, you’re giving your body the following nutrient punch to keep you going strong all day long:
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin b B12
- Riboflavin
- Niacin (niacin equivalents)
Here are 5 ideas on how to add this power food to your daily breakfast:
Make your oatmeal with milk. Oatmeal made with water is like that blazer you’ve been holding on to since the 90s. You keep it in your wardrobe even though you know something just isn’t quite right about it. Well it’s time to move on to better things! Once you start making oatmeal with milk, you will never go back. Not only does it provide you with all that good nutrition including extra protein which helps you feel satisfied all morning long – it simply tastes better! Add your favorite fruit and perhaps some nuts for an extra hearty bowl of goodness. My favorite combo is what I like to call “Apple Crisp Oats.” Make steel cut oats with milk, cinnamon, a chopped apple, and a handful of walnuts for a breakfast that will keep you fueled up with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Sip on a smoothie: In a society where we’re constantly on the go, it can be hard to fit in breakfast, never mind a healthy one. Smoothies to the rescue! Smoothies are so easy to make and transport. Simply blend your favorite frozen fruit with 8 ounces of milk and you’ve got yourself a healthy meal. One of my favorite combos is a banana, a couple of teaspoons of almond butter, frozen strawberries and milk. The almond butter adds in some healthy fats to keep you feeling full. You can use any nut butter you like.
Build a better breakfast bowl: There’s something comforting about the good ole’ bowl of cereal and milk. Make it even more nutritious by choosing a whole grain cereal and adding some antioxidant-rich berries. The protein in the milk (8 grams per 8 ounces) coupled with the fiber from the fruit and whole grains will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Gotta love a latte: Is there anything better than a hot latte on a cold day or an iced latte on a summer morning? You’re probably opting for a latte for the caffeine, but did you know that when you choose a latte over regular coffee, you’re also giving yourself all the nutrition that milk offers (see that long list above)? Sip smarter by choosing to purchase or make a latte in the morning!
A glass of milk makes it better: Are you a toast-in-the-morning kind of person? Spread on some satisfaction by topping your toast with nut butter and washing it down with a cold glass of milk. Remember to choose a bread that is 100% whole wheat. How do you know if it’s 100% whole wheat? Check the ingredients to make sure the first ingredient listed is whole grain flour. Nothing pairs better with nut butter and toast than a glass of milk. It’s simple and it’s simply delicious.