Michigan’s dairy farmers and Milk Means More, supported by the Food Bank Council of Michigan, invite you to the Dairy Nourishes Michigan Symposium.

Monday, October 2^nd – Wednesday, October 4^th 

Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center
100 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

This, FREE, unique event brings champions across the value chain together to build relationships and create solutions that increase our neighbors’ access to the protein and nutrients provided by dairy products.

Participants will walk away from the symposium with:

1. Increased knowledge of the dairy supply chain & new personal connections within it.
2. Case-studies for support of a dairy program.
3. Opportunity for commitment to a dairy program (i.e. formal, expansion, budget, etc.) – whatever it means to take your next step!
4. An understanding of resources needed and barriers to overcome.
5. New connections, creative ideas, and potential solutions for overcoming challenges.
6. Defined next steps for your dairy program.

What is the cost to attend? 

FREE, there is no cost to attend for our Michigan nutrition security partners. Hotel, meals and all event activities will be covered by Milk Means More. Out-of-pocket costs for travel and mileage will be reimbursed using a form provided by Milk Means More following the event.

Who should attend? 

Food Banks: A multi-faceted team of decision makers from your organization representing Development, Operations and Marketing.

Processors/Co-Ops: Team members who interact with food bank teams to distribute dairy foods.

Partners/Key Stakeholders: Team members who interact with food bank teams to support nutrition security.

What is the attire? 

Casual and comfortable. Please plan to wear long pants, closed toe shoes and no loose jewelry for the processing plant tour. Closed toe shoes for the farm tour.

Tentative Agenda

Detailed agenda will be sent to all registrants before the event.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2: Networking (Optional)

4:30-5:30pm Arrival & Registration

*If you are not able to attend registration on Monday, please plan to register during breakfast on Tuesday.

6-8pm Welcome Happy Hour

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3: Hands-On Education (FULL DAY)

8:00-9:00am Breakfast

9:30am Buses depart hotel

10:00-3:00pm

• Food Bank Teams – Tour Prairie Farms Dairy Processing Plant – Battle Creek
• Non Food Bank Teams – Tour South Michigan Food Bank – Battle Creek
• All participants – Tour Local Dairy Farm

5:00-6:00pm Happy Hour & Networking

6:00-8:00pm Working Dinner at Radisson

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4: Collaborative Learning & Planning (FULL DAY, ends by 4pm)

8:00-9:00am Breakfast

9:00am Presentations & Group Activities

11:45pm Lunch

Visioning, Co-Creation, Creative Problem Solving

Next Steps & Networking