Dairy producers in our country have a record for being humanitarians, and Carl Baumann, a retired producer, is no exception. Baumann runs the nonprofit group, Dairy Relief, which exports nonfat milk powder to developing countries.
Dairy Relief has given away enough milk powder to make almost 2.3 million gallons of nonfat milk. Milk is a staple of nutrition programs the world over. And while U.S. residents might take it for granted, and wince a little at the price before filling their shopping carts, in many developing nations the beverage is simply out of reach. Baumann keeps pictures and letters detailing the stories of Dairy Relief’s efforts. Photos show groups of smiling orphans and children whose skin stretches taught across their skeletons. Letters tell of deliveries — sometimes one-ton pallets of powdered milk — saving lives. Baumann’s group has sent dry milk to groups working on five continents in countries ranging from the Philippines to Iraq.
Increased worldwide consumption has made milk powder more scarce and Baumann’s job more difficult. The higher demand also has upped the price, meaning Baumann can purchase less with the donations — mostly from milk producers themselves — that make up his budget.
Baumann’s dream would be access to those government milk powder stores, but the process is far too complex for most small groups. Commodity Credit Corporation has tight regulations on just who has access and how the goods can be used. So Dairy Relief instead relies on donations — mostly from milk industry insiders.