By Andi Anderson
Milk is one of the most requested but least donated items at food banks. Indiana dairy farmer Sam Schwoeppe is on a mission to change this. As a fourth-generation dairy farmer and a dedicated advocate against food insecurity, she combines her agricultural expertise with her passion for helping others.
Sam and her husband, Darren, run Schwoeppe Dairy LLC in Huntingburg, Indiana, alongside their two sons, Wyatt and Ethan. Their farm milks 120 cows and grows 450 acres of hay and corn silage, ensuring a sustainable feed supply for their livestock.
Beyond her farm duties, Sam serves as the Director for Business Partnerships at Fresh Connect Central, an agri-food distributor operated by Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.
Established in 2017 under Feeding America’s initiative, Fresh Connect Central aims to close meal gaps and improve health and wellness for individuals facing food insecurity. The program prioritizes rescuing farm-fresh food and redistributing it to food banks, ensuring nutritious products like milk reach those in need.
Sam’s dual roles as a farmer and food bank advocate enable her to bridge the gap between agriculture and hunger relief. Her efforts have highlighted the importance of collaboration between farmers and food banks to tackle food insecurity effectively.
Sam’s commitment reflects a growing trend among farmers to contribute to their communities beyond food production. Her mission ensures that more families in need have access to milk, a vital source of nutrition, demonstrating the powerful role agriculture can play in addressing societal challenges.
Through her work, Sam inspires others to support food banks and shows how innovative partnerships can bring lasting change to communities.
Photo Credit: istock-fcafotodigital
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Dairy Cattle