McDonald’s of Michigan Celebrates National Dairy Month at Seventh-Generation Dairy Farm, Highlighting Strong Partnership with Michigan Farmers

McDonald’s of Michigan joined state agricultural leaders, dairy advocates, local officials and farmers Monday, June 22^nd, at Jem-Lot Dairy in Westphalia to celebrate National Dairy Month and recognize the vital role Michigan dairy producers play in supporting the state’s economy and food supply chain.

Hosted at Jem-Lot Dairy, a seventh-generation family farm operated by the Schafer family, the event highlighted the longstanding partnership between Michigan’s dairy industry and McDonald’s restaurants across the state and nation.

In 2023, the McDonald’s System purchased more than 7 million gallons of milk from Michigan suppliers, including farms such as Jem-Lot Dairy. Overall, the McDonald’s System spent an estimated more than $421 million within Michigan’s supply chain, including more than $285 million in quality ingredients sourced from Michigan producers.

“Michigan’s dairy farmers are an essential part of our state’s agricultural success story,” said State Rep. Jerry Neyer, chair of the House Agriculture Committee. “Family farms like Jem-Lot Dairy demonstrate the innovation, dedication and stewardship that have made Michigan a national leader in dairy production. We’re proud to celebrate Dairy Month by recognizing the farmers and agricultural partners who contribute so much to our communities and economy.”

Michigan ranks first in the nation for milk production per cow and sixth for total milk production. The state’s approximately 460,000 dairy cows produce more than 12.5 billion pounds of milk annually, while the dairy industry contributes an estimated $15.7 billion to Michigan’s economy.

“National Dairy Month is an opportunity to recognize the hardworking farm families who produce nutritious, high-quality dairy products every day,” said Melissa Gerharter, CEO of United Dairy Industry of Michigan. “Michigan’s dairy farmers are committed to caring for their animals, protecting natural resources and producing the milk that families enjoy at home and in restaurants across the country. We’re grateful for partners like McDonald’s that help showcase the value and impact of our dairy industry.”

Attendees toured the farm, learned about modern dairy practices and discussed how Michigan agriculture supports communities throughout the state.

“McDonald’s is proud to source ingredients from Michigan farmers and suppliers who share our commitment to quality,” said Shawn Saputo, McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “The relationships we have with dairy producers and agricultural partners across Michigan help us serve great-tasting food while supporting local businesses, jobs and communities. Today’s event is a celebration of those partnerships and the people behind them.”

Beyond dairy, Michigan-grown and Michigan-produced ingredients continue to play an important role in the McDonald’s supply chain. In 2023, the McDonald’s System sourced from Michigan suppliers:

28.7 million pounds of apples

917,000 pounds of beef

3.8 million pounds of butter

127.4 million pounds of corn

54.7 million pounds of cucumbers

51.5 million dozen eggs

102 million pounds of pork

45.5 million pounds of soybeans

The event also featured remarks from representatives of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, CF Burger Creamery, Michigan FFA and Jem-Lot Dairy.

About McDonald's USA

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, and follow us on social: X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

About the United Dairy Industry of Michigan

The United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) is dedicated to serving Michigan’s hard-working dairy farm families and promoting Michigan’s locally produced dairy products. UDIM is the umbrella organization for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council of Michigan. These non-profit organizations provide dairy product promotion and nutrition education services on behalf of their funding members.

About CF Burger Creamery

CF Burger Creamery is a fourth-generation, family-owned dairy processor based in Michigan, proudly celebrating 100 years of service, craftsmanship, and trusted partnerships. For a century, we’ve remained committed to delivering consistent, high-quality dairy products across retail, foodservice, and national brands. As we honor this milestone, we continue to evolve with intention—investing in innovation while staying grounded in the values that have defined us for generations.