The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will distribute 1,400 dairy boxes to the public at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson, on Friday, Aug. 7, beginning at 9 a.m. as part of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

“The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is honored to be a part of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program,” said Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson. “Last month, the Department distributed 1,400 produce boxes and 1,400 gallons of milk to the public. We will be continuing our efforts to assist the public during this time of need with additional food box distributions in September and October. This program has been beneficial to our farmers, distributors and everyday citizens.”

Merchants Foodservice of Hattiesburg will provide the 1,400 dairy boxes containing yogurt, cheese, butter and milk. The Dairy Alliance and Borden Dairy are donating an additional 2,200 gallons of milk, and Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. of Jackson is donating 42,000 eggs. Those receiving a dairy food box will also receive two gallons of milk and 2 ½ dozen eggs.

The public can start arriving at 9 a.m. and must remain in their vehicles with the windows up. MDAC volunteers will wear masks and gloves at all times and when instructed, the public will be allowed to open their car trunks for placement of their dairy box.

The United States Department of Agriculture created the Farmers to Families Food Box Program under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Through this, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service partners with national, regional and local suppliers, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products. Suppliers then package these products into family-sized boxes and transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations and other non-profits serving Americans in need.

The Mississippi State Fairgrounds is located at 1207 Mississippi St., Jackson. The public must enter through Gate 1 on Jefferson Street and exit through Gate 6 on Greymont Street.

Visit www.ams.usda.gov to learn more about the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.