In celebration of National Dairy Month, Dairy MAX hosted two events in Denver, Colorado, with So Damn Gouda cheese shop and Kids Menu Milk Grant recipient, Cuba Cuba Café & Bar.
The Kids Menu Milk Grant was created by Dairy MAX to support restaurants in promoting milk and other dairy items on kids’ menus. The grant covers expenses related to purchasing dairy menu items, point-of-sale marketing materials and social media promotions. Cuba Cuba stood out specifically for its innovative dairy-focused menu items, potential increase in dairy sales and strong social media presence and creativity. The restaurant also demonstrated its ability to track sales and agreed to dedicate a six-week promotion, specifically in June, to highlight National Dairy Month.
As part of the new menu rollout and the celebration of National Dairy Month, Dairy MAX and Cuba Cuba invited food writers and influencers to a special media day on June 20 at their Denver location to sample new dairy-focused menu items such as:
- Sandwich Cubano: Roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles pressed on Cuban bread.
- Tres Leches: Sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk and topped with fresh meringue and caramel candy.
- Chocolate Quatro Leches: Cuba Cuba’s signature chocolate cake soaked in four kinds of milk.
- Flan: Traditional Cuban recipe with caramel candy.
- Florachino: Iced Cuban coffee with double shot espresso, evaporated milk, whole milk, and sugar served over ice.
- Cuban Batido: Fruity milk-based smoothie.
Cuba Cuba has integrated milk as the default beverage on their kids’ menu, which meets the requirement of the new city ordinance passed by Denver’s City Council in March prohibiting restaurants from including sugary drinks on kid’s menus. This an ideal time for restaurants to prioritize dairy as more and more people are seeking healthier options for a balanced meal without sacrificing taste and satisfaction.
The second event hosted by Dairy MAX in honor of National Dairy Month was a Beer and Cheese Pairing Class held at Woods Boss Brewing with So Damn Gouda cheese shop on June 22. This event celebrated National Dairy Month by pairing five American cheeses with craft beers for more than 50 participants. Local dairy farmers Austin Denis and Ashlyn Goetz from Empire Dairy provided insights into sustainable farm practices, the journey of dairy from farm to table and the significant role agriculture plays in our communities. Additionally, several cheeses featured were from farmers within the Dairy MAX region.
The event also featured a pop-up cheese shop, where attendees could purchase the various cheeses showcased in the tasting, including cheese from Rocking W. This initiative celebrated dairy farmers’ contributions while educating the public about the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Both events called attention to dairy’s important role in community and nutrition. The Cuba Cuba event showcased innovative ways to promote dairy in children's diets, while the Beer and Cheese Pairing Class highlighted sustainable farming practices and introduced various cheeses from farmers within the Dairy MAX region. These events were made possible by the dedication and hard work of local dairy farmers, who continue to provide nutritious and delicious dairy foods. National Dairy Month may be over, but the impact of these events will continue to promote the importance of dairy in our communities and support our local farmers.
