World Milk Day

World Milk Day is an international day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food.[1] It has been observed on June 1 each year since 2001.[2] The day is intended to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities that are connected with the dairy sector.[2]

A “World Milk Day” celebration, organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries in New Delhi on June 01, 2017

History

World Milk Day was first designated by the FAO in 2001. June 1 was chosen as the date because many countries were already celebrating a milk day during that time of year.[2]

The Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk and raise awareness of dairy’s part in healthy diets, responsible food production, and supporting livelihoods and communities. This is supported by FAO data showing that more than one billion people's livelihoods are supported by the dairy sector and that dairy is consumed by more than six billion people globally.[3] The fact that many countries choose to do this on the same day lends additional importance to individual national celebrations and shows that milk is a global food.

World Milk Day Celebrations

World Milk Day 2016

In 2016, World Milk Day was celebrated in over 40 countries. Activities included marathons and family runs, milking demonstrations and farm visits, school-based activities, concerts, conferences and seminars, competitions and a range of events focusing on promoting the value of milk and illustrating the important role played by the dairy industry in the national economy.[4]

World Milk Day 2017

In 2017, 588 events took place in 80 countries reaching 402 million impressions on social media for #WorldMilkDay. Events included open houses at dairy farms, milk donations to schools, contributions to food banks, photo contests, sports competitions, fairs, dance shows, parties, nutrition conferences, tastings, exhibitions, food carts, and milk bars.[5]

World Milk Day 2018

In 2018, World Milk Day was celebrated with 586 events in 72 countries. Farmers, staff, families, politicians, chefs, nutritionists, doctors, academics and athletes raised their glasses of milk and shared information about the benefits of milk and dairy products in their lives. #WorldMilkDay achieved 868 million impressions (for May 1 to June 2) with over 80,000 posts from May 1 to June 2. The global campaign (including #WorldMilkDay, #RaiseAGlass and 19 translations and local hashtags) received over 1.1 billion impressions and 291 million in reach on social media.[6]

Celebrations will happen again on June 1, 2019.[7]

Controversy

In response to this event, a "World Plant Milk Day" was created in 2017, which occurs annually on August 22.[8] Their objections to World Milk Day center around the environmental impact, health effects, and animal abuse of the dairy industry.

The movement is promoted by the use of the #WorldPlantMilkDay hashtag.

References
  1. "Today is World Milk Day". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  2. "World Milk Day: 1 June 2015". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  3. "The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam". www.fao.org. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  4. "World Milk Day". Food and Agriculture Organisation. April 13, 2017.
  5. https://worldmilkday.org/reports/66-world-milk-day-2017-final-report/file
  6. https://worldmilkday.org/reports/88-world-milk-day-2018-final-report/file
  7. https://worldmilkday.org/
  8. "World Plant Milk Day - 22nd August 2017 - Celebrating the huge selection of plant-based milks". www.worldplantmilkday.com. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
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