Making a difference with Serving Customers & Rural Communities Projects (April 2020)

Posted on April 30, 2020 in Company News
Vita Plus employee owners and facilities have been working hard to identify opportunities to make a difference in the communities where they and their customers live and work.  We’re keeping track of all the ongoing Vita Plus Serving Customers & Rural Communities Projects here.

Vita Plus recently launched the Serving Customers & Rural Communities Project.  Through this project, Vita Plus has committed $100,000 to support rural food security initiatives throughout the Upper Midwest.  The purposes of the project are to assist those in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic while also supporting dairy, swine, and beef producers by purchasing their products as dairy and livestock farms face subsequent market challenges.

Through this broad-based effort, local Vita Plus nutrition consultants and facilities have identified opportunities to make a difference in the communities where they and their customers live and work.

These initiatives include:

  • Stacy Nichols (Indiana), Vita Plus dairy nutritionist, chose to support the Humanitarian Distribution Center.  The Humanitarian Distribution Center serves 48 food pantries and 13 counties throughout northern Indiana.  The LEAP Foundation, de Jong Family Farms, Calvary Baptist Church, and several of Nichols’ industry peers and friends also contributed to the cause, bringing the total to nearly $2,900 to purchase cheese and yogurt.
  • Frankie Rathbun (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, and the employee owners at Vita Plus Lake Mills pooled their funds to support the Lake Mills Food Pantry, Waterloo Food Pantry, Waterloo Groceries for Growth, and Watertown Food Pantry and Backpack ProgramRock River Laboratory, Inc., Schuett Dairy, State Bank of Reeseville, Symbol Mattress, and the Piggly Wiggly stores in Watertown and Waterloo also contributed to the effort, bringing the total to $8,300.  The pantries will distribute 830 $10 vouchers that can be used to purchase dairy products at the Lake Mills Market and the Piggly Wiggly stores in Waterloo and Watertown.
  • Matt Kooiman (Wisconsin) and Nick Uglow (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Lake Mills dairy consultants, teamed up to support the Lake Mills Area School District by purchasing 1,333 3-ounce packages of cheese curds from Kraemer Cheese in Watertown to be distributed to students through the Lake Mills school meal program.
  • Randy Messer (Wisconsin), Vita Plus livestock consultant, and Denny Deery (Wisconsin), Vita Plus business analyst, joined their funds to help support Sunshine Place and the Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry.  Their funds will be used to purchase milk from Sassy Cow Creamery in Columbus, Wisconsin, as well as other dairy and beef products to be used for 1,500 school lunch packs or weekly supper meals at Sunshine Place.
  • Rod Wautlet (Wisconsin) and Tim Hardyman (Wisconsin), Agri-Business Consultants, LLC, partnered with the Marshall FFA to put their portion of the funds to work.  The FFA chapter will use the money to purchase cheese and pork products from local processors, and the food will be distributed to families via the school’s meal program.
  • Randall Greenfield (Wisconsin) and Bob Hagenow (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales managers, partnered with the Waupun FFA and FFA Alumni to put their portion of the funds to work.  The FFA chapter will use the money to purchase cheese and sausage from Brandon Meats & Sausage in Brandon; Carr Valley Cheese in LaValle; Eden Meat Market in Eden; and LeRoy Meats & Catering in Fox Lake.  The Waupun FFA and FFA Alumni hosted drive-thrus for members of the community to drive up and receive the cheese and sausage while supplies lasted.
  • Josh Braman (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant and Tomah resident, wanted to support Neighbor for Neighbor with his portion of the funds because the food pantry reaches out to rural communities.  Braman coordinated the purchase of 200 vouchers from Kwik Trip, each good for 1 gallon of 2% milk.
  • Vita Plus Loyal and SF Transport chose to support the Loyal FFA Chapter and Loyal FFA Alumni with contributions to purchase milk, cheese, and butter to distribute to approximately 130 households through the Loyal School District meal program.  They also supported the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Clark County with contributions to purchase cheese from Nasonville Dairy in Marshfield to be distributed to approximately 250 households.
  • Diane Beels (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Loyal agronomist, used her funds to provide the Greenwood Food Pantry at Missionary Baptist Church and the Loyal Community Food Pantry with approximately 200 pounds of ground beef purchased from River Valley Meats in Withee.
  • Matt Jorgensen (Wisconsin), Vita Plus merchandiser, used his funds to support the Clark County Area Food Pantry and Resource Center in Neillsville to purchase milk and meat for local families.  This contribution will also benefit the House of Mercy in Loyal, which provides shelter and supportive services to homeless individuals and families.
  • Eliza Ruzic (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Loyal dairy consultant, contributed to the Feed My People Food Bank in Eau Claire in support of its Curds for Kids program in Clark County.  The funds will be used to purchase cheese curds and distribute them to 222 families through school meal programs.
  • Cassie Stillman (Wisconsin) and Matt Thistle (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Loyal dairy consultants, paired their funds to help provide 134 gallons of milk and 268 pounds of cheese to the Auburndale FFA Chapter to be distributed to families through the Auburndale School District meal program.
  • Dr. Darin Bremmer (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales manager and dairy nutritionist, and Jarrod Blackburn (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, used their funds to provide the Ronald McDonald House in Marshfield with cheese sticks, cheese curds, and milk from Nasonville Dairy as well as meat products, ice cream, and pudding cups.
  • Linda Behling (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy nutritionist, and Pat Hoffman (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy technical support specialist, paired their funds, along with other private donors, to support the South Wood County Emerging Pantry Shelf in Wisconsin Rapids.  They received 450 1-pound blocks of cheese purchased from Maple Grove Cheese in Milladore.
  • Zak Rau (Wisconsin), Vita Plus merchandiser, worked with the Taylor County Holstein Breeders and Medford Area Chamber of Commerce to distribute single-serving bottles of milk with takeout orders from local restaurants.
  • Mike Walters (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, and Dr. Zach Sawall (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy nutritionist and technical services specialist, used their funds to provide milk, string cheese and beef sticks to the United Way of Marathon County for local residents in need via the Marathon County Hunger Coalition.
  • Andrea Slattery (Wisconsin), Vita Plus marketing and communications specialist, used her funds to help purchase 400 1-pound blocks of gouda cheese from Mullins Cheese in Mosinee for Operation Bootstrap in Stevens Point.
  • Brittany Gevelinger (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Dodgeville dairy consultant, chose to split her funds.  With Vita Plus Dodgeville, she helped the Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) purchase dairy, beef, and pork products, as well as 1-pound ground beef packages from Avon Locker Plant, Inc. in Darlington, to distribute to local food pantries throughout southwest Wisconsin.  She also provided the Pecatonica Area Food Pantry with $15 vouchers to distribute to families to purchase dairy products at Hollandale Grocery and Cenex in Blanchardville.
  • Vita Plus Dodgeville also supported the Highland Food Pantry and Second Harvest Food Pantry in Highland, where they received cheese from Schroeder Cheese, as well as 120 gallons of milk, to distribute to local residents.
  • Jerry Ruetten (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Dodgeville dairy specialist, used his funds to support the River Valley School District.  They received cheddar cheese and beef sticks to be included with school lunches.  The products were purchased from Arena Cheese in Arena, Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain, Prem Meats & Catering in Spring Green, and Straka Meats in Plain.
  • Katie Maier (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, supported the South Wayne Food Pantry and Hazel Green Food Pantry.  They received Colby jack and mild cheddar cheese from Shullsburg Cheese Store in Shullsburg to distribute to local residents.
  • Dr. Matt Gabler (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales manager, worked with Spensley Feeds in Belmont to support the Belmont Community School District and Belmont Senior Center.  Those meal programs received 188 8-ounce packages of cheese curds from Roelli Cheese Haus in Shullsburg.
  • Brooke Grinde (Wisconsin), Vita Plus livestock consultant, worked with Economy Feed Mill in Blomington to send meat and cheese packages from Bloomington Meats to St. Mary’s Church in Bloomington to distribute to local residents.
  • Marin Western (Michigan) and Mark Case (Michigan), Vita Plus dairy consultants, decided to use their portion of the funds to support the IM Kids 3rd Meal program, which is supported by the Ionia County Intermediate School District and the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District.  The program currently serves 11 schools in the two counties.  This contribution will be used to purchase milk, cheese and yogurt to be included in students’ meals.
  • Garrett Slavik (Michigan), Vita Plus dairy consultant, designated his portion of the funds to the United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties.  Through the organization’s Hunger Network, the dollars will be distributed to rural food pantries in need of milk, cheese, butter and other dairy products.  A contribution was also made to First Baptist Church in St. Johns to purchase milk, cheese, butter and yogurt for the church’s Beacon of Hope food pantry.
  • Vita Plus Gagetown employee owners; Sarah Fraley, Steve Good, and Laura Zagorski, Vita Plus Gagetown dairy consultants; and Matt Wood, Vita Plus sales manager, collaborated to support the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.  The food bank will use these funds in Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola Counties.  With matching dollars from the Food Bank Council of Michigan, the contribution will purchase approximately 6,100 gallons of milk for distribution at pop-up pantry events.  Additional funds, also matched by the Food Bank Council of Michigan, will be designated for the Revive Ministry Food Pantry in Cass City to purchase dairy products.
  • Vita Plus Gagetown employee owners also designated some of their funds to the “Meating the Need for Our Village” program and the Boots and Bling 4-H Club in Cass City to purchase dairy products for local food pantries.
  • PJ Neff (Indiana), Vita Plus dairy consultant, designated his portion of the funds to Eleanor’s Pantry and Bread of Life Community Pantry.  The two organizations will use the contributions to purchase dairy and fresh beef products.  Hood Dairy in Paw Paw, Michigan, matched Neff’s contribution to Eleanor’s Pantry.
  • Jeff Hoeger (Iowa), Vita Plus dairy consultant, used his funds to provide 212 pounds of butter to the Monticello Community Food Pantry.  The butter was purchased from AMPI in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
  • Ben Brown, Kevin Fassbender, Dr. Leah Kellesvig, Dave Schott, and Jeff Winkler combined their funds to purchase pork and dairy products to support the Monticello Community Food Pantry, First Parish Church in Coggon, Iowa, Independence Area Food Pantry, and Delaware County Food Bank in Manchester.  Pork products were purchased from Fareway Monticello and Independence, as well as Dan’s Locker LLC.
  • Duane Gibbs (Iowa), Vita Plus dairy consultant, used his funds to support the First Lutheran Church’s Pay It Ahead Food Bank in Manchester to purchase dairy products.
  • Stacy Zitelman (Iowa), Vita Plus dairy consultant, used her funds to support the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo.  They will use the funds to purchase 200 gallons of milk to be distributed throughout rural communities in Allamakee, Clayton, Winneshiek and Fayette Counties.
  • Tasha Phillips (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, designated her portion of the funds to purchase ground beef from Daeffler’s Quality Meats in Frederic, which offered special pricing for the beef during this time of need.  The 1-pound packages of beef were delivered to the Frederic and Luck School Districts to be distributed to 260 families through the schools’ meal programs.
  • Dave Chamberlin (Michigan) and James Thompson (Indiana), Vita Plus swine consultants, designated their portions of the funds to Do’chas, a nonprofit organization based in Jackson that provides crisis intervention to youth and their families.  The organization will use the funds to purchase milk and meat to be delivered to rural youth and families.
  • Charlie Kunisch (Michigan), a Vita Plus dairy and livestock consultant, designated his portion of the funds to the McBain Rural Agricultural School to purchase and distribute milk through the school meal program.
  • Nathan Hrnicek, a Vita Plus forage consultant, designated his portion of the funds to Snack Pak 4 Kids, which “provides kids with reliable, nutritious food over the weekend so they can succeed.”  The contribution was used to purchase 1,100 bottles of Fairlife® milk to be distributed to kids in the Friona and Plainview areas.
  • Todd Herrig (Iowa), a Vita Plus swine consultant, designated his portion of the funds to support the Sioux Rapids Food Pantry as well as Clay County Food For Life in Spencer.  The pantries will use the funds to purchase pork products and distribute them to community members in need.
  • Employee owners at Vita Plus Lanark designated their funds to the Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency in Freeport to purchase and distribute milk, ice cream, and yogurt to senior citizens in Stephenson, Carroll, Jo Davies, and Whiteside Counties through the Golden Meals program.  They also used their funds to support the Lena-Winslow Pantry to purchase dairy products from local processors and distribute them to area residents.
  • Ann Hoskins (Wisconsin), Vita Plus calf products coordinator and sales manager, used her funds to support the Pearl City School District.  They will use the funds to purchase additional dairy products to be distributed to families via the school breakfast and lunch programs.
  • Mark Sturtewagen (Illinois), Vita Plus livestock consultant, chose to support the Faith Community Church in Davis, and they will use the funds to purchase dairy, beef and pork products for distribution through its food pantry.
  • Richard Mensendike (Illinois), Vita Plus dairy consultant, used his funds to support the Carroll County Farm Bureau.  The Farm Bureau then matched the donation, along with the Carroll County Livestock Feeders and Carroll County Pork Producers to purchase beef from Johnson’s Processing Plant in Chadwick and pork from Carroll County Locker in Lanark.  Four food pantries in Carroll County received donations of beef and pork products.  Mensendike also designated a portion of the funds to the St. Vincent de Paul Pantry in Pontiac to purchase dairy products and distribute to those in need.
  • Augusta Witt (Illinois), Vita Plus dairy consultant, supported the Shannon-Lanark Food Pantry and its “Fill the Fridge” campaign. The pantry recently received a refrigerator via a Midwest Dairy Association grant.  The Eastland FFA Chapter, John Erbsen with Select Sires MidAmerica, Exchange State Bank in Lanark, and Rhett Coatney with Country Financial in Lanark also made contributions to fill the refrigerator with dairy products and keep it full.
  • Barry Visser, Andy Carlson, Kevin Ratka, Tom Berning and Larrie Rosen, Vita Plus dairy consultants, Minnesota, teamed up to support several Minnesota food shelves. The McLeod Emergency Food Shelf in Hutchinson received 220 1-pound packages of butter purchased from AMPI in New Ulm, Minnesota.  The Meeker Area Food Shelf in Litchfield, Melrose Area Food Shelf in Melrose, Morrison County Food Shelf in Little Falls, Rocori Area Food Shelf in Cold Spring, and Avon Food Shelf, Inc. in Avon each received 90 pounds of cheese and 108 pounds of butter to distribute to local residents.  The cheese and butter were purchased from Bongards Creameries in Bongards, which also offered special pricing for the products.
  • Tyler Johnson (Minnesota), Vita Plus beef consultant, supported the Belle Plaine Area Food Shelf.  They will use their funds to purchase beef from a local locker to provide to those in need.
  • Bryan Knoper (Indiana), A Vita Plus dairy and livestock consultant, used his funds to support the Western Boone FFA and their Milk & Meat Campaign, which was created in April to purchase dairy and meat products and distribute them to four different food pantries in Boone County.
  • Wyatt Smith (Wisconsin) and John Kjolhaug (Minnesota), Vita Plus dairy consultants, and Peter Coyne (Wisconsin), a Vita Plus sales manager, designated their portion of the funds to purchase ground beef for local families.  One-pound packages of frozen ground beef will be distributed to 245 families via the school meal programs at the Elmwood, Plum City and Spring Valley school districts.  In addition, the Red Wing Area Food Shelf will receive 130 1-pound packages of ground beef.  The meat will be purchased from Sailer’s Food Market & Meat Processing in Elmwood.
  • Chad Howlett, (Wisconsin) Vita Plus beef consultant and sales manager, Wisconsin, worked with Katy Katzman and her daughter, Elizabeth, of Katzman Farms in Whitewater to designate his portion of the funds to The Black Sheep.  The restaurant used the contribution to purchase ground beef and pork to use in the meals it prepares and offers to kids and families free of charge.
  • Phil Kubesh (Wisconsin), Vita Plus information technology manager, and Brandon Maly (Wisconsin), Vita Plus marketing specialist, designated their portions of the funds to the Green Cares Food Pantry.  The organization will use the contribution to purchase dairy, beef and pork products to distribute to community members.
  • Jim Garrison (Minnesota), and Garrett Rozeboom (Minnesota), Vita Plus swine consultants, used their funds to support the Windom Area Sharing Center.  They will use the funds to purchase dairy, beef and pork products and distribute to those in need.
  • Jeff Winkler (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Madison operations general manager, and Charlie Kirk (Wisconsin), Vita Plus distribution center coordinator, teamed up to support Heaven’s Table Food Shelf.  They will use the contribution to provide local residents with $20 gift cards to purchase pork and dairy products.
  • Dan Hale (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, used his portion of the funds to purchase provolone from Cascade Cheese Co., which contributed additional cheese as well.  The cheese was delivered to the Full Shelf Food Pantry in West Bend.
  • Employee owners at Vita Plus Kennan designated their funds to support the food pantries in Phillips and Catawba.  The funds will be used to purchase dairy and beef products and distribute to those in need.
  • Andy Kniesly (Ohio), Vita Plus dairy consultant, designated his portion of the funds to OneEighty in Wooster, which provides a wide range of supportive resources for individuals and families in Wayne and Holmes Counties.  The organization will use the contribution to purchase dairy products and distribute to those in need.
  • Steve Maier (Wisconsin) works with Agri-Business Consultants, LLC, and he designated his portion of the funds to Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s COVID-19 donation program, which has delivered cheese curds to 36 school districts and 20 food pantries in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.
  • Rich Nelson (Iowa), Vita Plus dairy consultant, chose to support the Bethel Butikk Food Pantry with his portion of the funds.  The pantry received 148 vouchers to distribute to those in need.  The vouchers can be redeemed at Westby Cooperative Creamery for a 12-ounce package of cheese curds.
  • Sarah Adamson (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy goat specialist, used her funds to support Echo, Inc. in Janesville.  They will use the funds to purchase ground beef from Sorg’s Quality Meats and Sausages in Darien and distribute it via its food pantry.
  • Donovan Nelson (Wisconsin), Vita Plus formulation and quality specialist, allocated his funds to Edgerton Community Outreach, Inc. to purchase dairy products from Country Quality Dairy in Janesville to distribute through its food pantry.
  • Deb Messinger (Wisconsin), Vita Plus controller and treasurer, supported the Evansville Ecumenical Care Closet to help them purchase milk, cheese and butter to distribute to households in need.  She also used a portion of her funds to purchase gift certificates for the Pointer Pantry to purchase dairy, beef or pork products at the Point Foods grocery store.
  • Katie Varney (Wisconsin), Vita Plus events specialist, designated her portion to Reach Out Lodi to purchase ground beef and pork products to distribute through its food pantry.
  • Michelle Chang-Der Bedrosian (Wisconsin), Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical specialist, used her funds to purchase ground beef, pork sausage and pork chops from Lodi Sausage Co. and Meat MarketDohrmann Enterprises, Inc., Lallemand Animal Health, Volac, and Dairyland Laboratories, Inc. added funds to the contribution for a total of $2,250.  The meat will be distributed to those in need by the food pantries in Lodi, Portage and Poynette.
  • Marjorie Stieve (Wisconsin), Vita Plus marketing manager, along with private donations, used the funds to purchase 500 half-pound bags of cheese curds from Carr Valley Cheese Company in La Valle.  The curds will be distributed through the Sauk Prairie Area Food Pantry and Reedsburg Area Food Pantry.
  • Kari Herbrand (Wisconsin), Vita Plus formulation specialist, used her funds to purchase 230 one-pound packages of seasoned ground pork from Wyttenbach Meats in Prairie du Sac and donated them to the Sauk Prairie Area Food Pantry, who will distribute them to those in need.
  • Becky Pertzborn (Wisconsin), Vita Plus employee services manager, used her funds to help purchase 167 pounds of breakfast sausage and Italian pork sausage from The Meat Market in Baraboo and donated them to the Reedsburg Area Food Pantry, who will distribute them to those in need.  She also chose to support 6:8, a Sauk City, Wisconsin, organization that provides a variety of services for area reasidents, by donating dairy, beef and pork products.
  • Chris Davis (Wisconsin), Vita Plus controller, used his funds to support the Wisconsin Heights School District to purchase milk to send home with students as part of its weekly meal program.
  • Mark Miley (Wisconsin), Vita Plus chief financial operator, supported the Waunakee Food Pantry and its efforts to purchase beef products and distribute to those in need.
  • Brenda Keiser (Wisconsin) and Cindy Cooper (Wisconsin), Vita Plus formulation specialists, teamed up to support the Oregon FFA Alumni and its efforts to purchase milk, cheese and beef sticks to be donated to the local food pantry.
  • John Schmidt (Wisconsin), Vita Plus ingredient merchandising manager, chose to support the Weymont Food Pantry with his portion of the funds.  Weyauwega Star Dairy matched the funds and the food pantry will use the contributions to purchase cheese and sausage products from the Weyauwega Star Dairy retail store as needed.
  • Monica Schwittay (Wisconsin), Cornette Farm Supply dairy consultant, helped provide Pastor Fred’s Food Pantry in Amberg with milk from Sal’s Food Center in Wausaukee, which will be distributed to 160 Marinette County families for the month of May.
  • Dr. Laurie Winkelman (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy nutritionist, used her funds to help provide Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay with cubed cheese and Parmesan wedges purchased from Sartori Cheese in Plymouth.
  • Cornette Farm Supply used their funds to support the Denmark School District to purchase dairy products and distribute to families through the school meal program, as well as the Luxemburg-Casco School District to purchase Go-GURT and distribute to students via the school meal program in May..
  • Cody Yanzick (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, designated his funds to the Wrightstown Community School District to purchase milk to provide to families through the daily school meal program and the family backpack program.
  • Dietric DeJager (Wisconsin), Cornette Farm Supply dairy consultant, used his funds to support the Freedom Food Pantry with 166 pounds of fresh pork to provide to the 50 families it serves in the next three months.  The pork was purchased from Roskom Meats in Kaukauna.
  • Jon Rasmussen (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy technology specialist, and Lauryn Krentz (Wisconsin), Vita Plus dairy consultant, designated their portions of the funds to purchase 360 pounds of cheese curds from Simon’s Specialty Cheese in Appleton and donate to families in the North Fond du Lac School District.
  • Greg Wiener (Minnesota) and Dr. Keith Lesmeister (Iowa), Vita Plus dairy consultants, designated a portion of their funds to the Hope Food Pantry, which will use the contribution to purchase cheese, pork, and beef and distribute the products to those in need.  The other portion of their funds was used to support the Nemaha County Pantry, which will use the contribution to purchase ground pork and beef from a local locker and distribute the meats to those in need.
  • Delores Fromolz (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Kennan customer service manager, used her portion of the funds to support the Lord’s Cupboard.  The funds will be used to purchase dairy, beef and pork products.
  • Kristy Theunis (Wisconsin), Cornette Farm Supply office manager, used her portion of the funds to help the Kewaunee School District purchase yogurt to distribute to students through the school meal program.
  • Kevin Welch (Illinois), Vita Plus Lanark production specialist, used his funds to purchase 1,167 individual ice cream cups from Midwest Dairy.  The ice cream cups will be donated to nursing homes across three Illinois counties.
  • Lonnie Sanderson (Wisconsin), Vita Builders design and fabrication manager, and Roger Pamperin (Wisconsin), Vita Builders office manager, joined their funds to provide families in the Beaver Dam Unified School District with milk and string cheese.
  • Adam Doro (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Loyal plant manager, designated his funds to the Loyal FFA Chapter.  They will use the funds to purchase cheese and milk to be distributed to families through the Loyal School District’s meal programs.
  • Tammy Koontz (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Loyal administrative manager, used her portion of the funds to purchase beef sticks from Hewitt Meats to be donated to the Clark County Department of Aging and Disabilities.
  • Rick Reit (Wisconsin), SF Transport manager, used his funds to support the School District of Greenwood.  They will use the funds to help purchase cheese and milk to be distributed to families through the school’s meal program.
  • Terry Pulver (Wisconsin), Vita Builders, chose to support the Pardeeville FFA who will use the funds to purchase cheese curds and butter to be distributed through the Pardeeville Area School District’s lunch delivery program.
  • Greg Carl (Wisconsin), Vita Plus transportation coordinator, and Reggie George (Wisconsin), Vita Plus logistics manager, joined their funds to support the Community Food Pantry of Spring Green.  The food pantry will use the funds to purchase milk and pork products to be distributed to families in Spring Green.
  • Jeff Auby (Wisconsin), Vita Plus maintenance coordinator, and Jim Hamilton (Wisconsin), Vita Plus customer service coordinator, used their funds to support the Cuba City FFA.  They will use the funds to purchase milk to be distributed to families through the Cuba City School District’s lunch program.
  • Kurt Siegel (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Lake Mills production supervisor; Tony Newton (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Lake Mills general manager; and the employee owners at Vita Plus Lake Mills chose to support the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Jefferson County.  They will use the funds to purchase milk, cheese, and yogurt to be included in the Jefferson County Meals on Wheels program for seniors in the area.  The employee owners at Vita Plus Lake Mills also used a portion of their funds to support the Lake Mills FFA Chapter.
  • Don Jaster (Michigan), Vita Plus Gagetown feed operations supervisor, used his funds to support the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.  They will use the funds to purchase dairy products to be distributed to residents in Cass City, Michigan, through the Revive Ministry’s pop-up food distribution events.
  • Jeff Winkler (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Madison operations general manager, used some of his funds to support the New Glarus FFA Alumni and the New Glarus School District’s lunch program to purchase dairy, beef, and pork products.
  • Vita Plus Dodgeville employee owners used a portion of their funds to support the Southwest Cap Food Pantry.
  • Vita Builders and Vita Plus Columbus employee owners supported the Columbus School District, who will use the funds to purchase, dairy, beef, and pork products to be included in the school district’s lunch program.
  • Vita Builders and Vita Plus Fall River employee owners pooled their funds to support the Neighbors in Constant Care Foundation, who will use the funds to purchase and distribute dairy products.
  • Randy Greenfield (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales manager, used a portion of his funds to support the Waupun Area School District.  They will use the funds to purchase Baker© Cheese through Plum Creek Dairy to be included in the school district’s meal program.
  • Vita Plus Lanark employee owners pooled their funds to support the Pearl City Food Pantry.  Working with Sullivan’s Grocery, the food pantry will distribute vouchers to purchase milk, ground beef, or ground pork at the grocery store.
  • Vita Plus Kennan employee owners used their funds to support the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantries in Catawba and Phillips, Wisconsin, who will use the funds to purchase dairy and beef products to stock the pantries.
  • Dr. Matt Gabler (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales manager, dedicated a portion of his funds to support Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, who will use the funds to purchase local beef and pork products.
  • Bob Hagenow (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales manager, designated a portion of his funds to the Pardeeville and Rio FFA Chapters.  The funds were used to purchase butter, cheese, milk, and sausage that were distributed to area residents through a drive-thru event organized by the two FFA chapters.
  • Vita Plus Gagetown employee owners used their funds to support the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, who will purchase dairy, beef, and pork products through the Owendale Lions Club.
  • Dr. Darin Bremmer (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales manager and dairy nutritionist, and Vita Plus Loyal employee owners designated a portion of their funds to purchase one-pound packages of Colby and cheddar cheese from LaGrander’s Hillside Dairy, Inc. to benefit the Loyal Community Food Pantry.
  • Ann Hoskins (Wisconsin), Vita Plus calf products coordinator and sales manager, used a portion of her funds to support the Norski Nibbles and the Blessings in a Backpack programs in DeForest, Wisconsin.  Both organizations provide meals to area children, and this donation will add a carton of milk to those meals.
  • Members of the Vita Plus central Minnesota dairy team used a portion of their funds to purchase cheese curds from Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and deliver them to healthcare workers in five different CentraCare hospitals/clinics.
  • Cornette Farm Supply employee owners used a portion of their funds to purchase string cheese from Ron’s Cheese to be included in the Unified School District of De Pere’s summer lunch program.  They also purchased block cheese to be donated to Feed and Clothe my People, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of Door County residents.
  • Peter Coyne (Wisconsin), Vita Plus sales manager, worked with the Spring Valley Drug and Hardware to provide vouchers redeemable for a gallon of milk at the Spring Valley Area Food Pantry and Elmwood Food Pantry.  The milk is provided through the Hastings Cooperative Creamery.
  • John Tilt (Michigan), Vita Plus Gagetown facility manager, used his portion of the funds to support St. Agatha Food Pantry in Gagetown, Michigan.
  • Vita Builders used a portion of their funds to support St. John’s Food Pantry in Bloomington, Wisconsin.
  • Vita Plus Loyal employee owners used a portion of their funds to purchase cheese from Marathon Cheese to be donated to the ICAA Taylor County Food Pantry.
  • Jeff Winkler (Wisconsin), Vita Plus Madison operations general manager, used a portion of his funds to purchase dairy and beef products to be donated to the Deerfield Community Center.

This is up to date as of September 24, 2020. 

Category: Business news
Company News
Industry news