World Milk Day
Milk is an important part of a healthy balanced diet and annual World Milk Day provides the perfect opportunity to spread the word.
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On 1 June every year, World Milk Day celebrates dairy’s vital role in global food systems, providing economic, nutritional, and social benefits to a large proportion of the world’s population. IDF and its members work together to convey this message to the public by promoting activities taking place on and around this day.
World Milk Day history
World Milk Day was introduced in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to recognize the importance of milk as a global food, and to celebrate the dairy sector. Each year since, the benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted around the world, including how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people.
All aspects of milk and dairy are celebrated on annual World Milk Day, including their benefits with regards to health and nutrition, affordability and accessibility, and the sector’s passion and commitment to feeding our communities.
Celebrations on 1 June are global and marked in many countries all over the world, with the number of countries and activities are increasing every year, providing an opportunity for everyone involved in the sector to participate.
World Milk Day activities 2023
In 2023, World Milk Day focused on showcasing how dairy is reducing its environmental footprint, while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods. Using the World Milk Day platform, we aimed to raise awareness of the messaging and action towards Dairy Net Zero.
- Milking demonstrations and farm visits
- Games, competitions, and concerts
- Distribution of milk products, and
- conferences, seminars and information sharing
All are aimed at sharing information on the value of milk and illustrating the important role the dairy sector plays in communities, national economies and cultural aspects of societies.
The theme in 2023 focused on showcasing how dairy is reducing its environmental footprint, while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods.
A global success!
Thanks to IDF experts around the world for your tremendous support, which helped make it the biggest celebration yet.
The report summary for 2023 is coming soon.
Follow how our member countries celebrated
The Czech IDF Committee celebrated in cooperation with the Czech-Moravian Dairy Association by organizing a traditional event called “CELEBRATION OF MILK” at the National Agricultural Museum, which commemorated the sixty-sixth World Milk Day.
Primary milk producers, milk processors, vocational schools, academia, consumer organizations and the journalistic community were invited.
The patronage of the event was taken over by the Czech Minister of Agriculture Z. Nekula.
On this occasion, the results of the 20th jubilee competition for “Dairy Products of the Year 2023“ and “Dairy Innovation 2023” were announced. Another competition under the patronage of journalists, announced the “Media Prize” to the three best dairy products.
IDF Sweden raised awareness through an article on the global nutrition and health benefits of dairy.
Sweden also held a seminar on June 2nd discussing the free breakfasts for Swedish school children
IDF Kenya celebrated by sharing various posts on social media. Watch the World Milk Day media compilation from the Kenyan team here.
IDF Germany celebrated with their Initiative Milch’s campaign. The campaign included various handouts and informational flyers on “the cow in the climate cycle”, “how to avoid food waste” and “why dairy products are part of a healthy, balanced and climate-friendly diet”. More information can be found in the initiatives website.
IDF India celebrated by highlighting the day and their team on social media.
IDF Latvia celebrated by sharing World Milk Day content across their channels, including their website.
IDF Norway celebrated widely on social media with a short video highlighting the nutritional value of dairy and a reel showcasing a recipe for a high-protein breakfast
Dairy is a vital part of global food systems, providing economic, nutritional & social benefits to many people around the world
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