Throughout the current crisis caused by COVID-19, here at Slate we have been keen to play our part in supporting Britain's small cheese makers and dairy farmers. We have been championing the incredible cheeses made across Britain and promoting the flow of artisan cheese from farms to you, the nation's cheese lovers. However as lockdown lingers on, it's time to do more.
From now until the end of June we will be supporting the Got Milk Fund, a crowd-funding initiative seeking to save Britain's dairy industry, avoid surplus milk going to waste and re-distribute essential dairy supplies to those in need.
We pledge to donate £1 to the Got Milk Fund for every online order we receive before 30th June 2020 with a minimum donation of £250. We will also be offering each of our online customers the opportunity to add their own donation at checkout. However small, adding a little bit extra will further help struggling small producers and we would be hugely appreciative of any additional support you can give.
Since the beginning of lockdown 500,000 litres of milk have been poured down the drain every week by family-run farms across the country. Britain's small dairy farms, many of which are also artisan cheese makers, are in crisis following overnight closure of the hospitality industry back in March. Many producers have turned to home delivery and online retail but this does not make up for the lost sales to restaurants, pubs, hotels and others in the food service industry. Cows, goats and sheep continue to produce milk each day and cheese continues to ripen in maturing rooms across the country.
At the same time there are people in Britain going hungry. Food banks and community kitchens have seen a huge increase in demand in recent weeks and they often run short of dairy products such as hard cheese, butter and milk.
In partnership with Fare Share, the Got Milk Fund aims to bring these two ends of the chain together. To support small producers and reduce waste, they are raising funds to purchase surplus cheese and dairy products including ewe's milk cheese from Shepherd's Purse and clothbound Cheddar from Quicke's. These will be re-distributed those to places and initiatives where it is most needed. To learn more about this brilliant project click here and follow them on social media @gotmilkfund.
Covid-19 is going to leave Britain altered in many ways for years to come. We appreciate that everyone is struggling with the horror and disruption this virus is causing and that there are many charities desperate for your support. Through your online orders this coming month we hope you will help us to support Britain's small cheeese makers and dairy farmers with donations to the Got Milk Fund. Britain's cheese-scape will be less vibrant and certainly less delicious if we lose very many of this country's dedicated and skilled small producers.
