Midwest Dairy continues to collaborate with the Kansas State (K-State) University Bakery Science Club. Following the Milk and Cookies philanthropy event in the fall of 2023, they explored further collaboration opportunities to support both organizations’ goals.
The Bake Club seeks to increase its visibility on campus and improve participation in its bi-weekly meetings. The club does not currently charge a participation fee, and students do not need to be enrolled in Grain Science or any ag-related curriculum to join. The club also wants to incorporate more butter and other dairy ingredients into their baking throughout the semester; however, costs are challenging, making this goal not always feasible. Midwest Dairy remains committed to building partnerships with student organizations across K-State to build trust in dairy products among adult consumers aged 18 and older.
Understanding the Bake Club’s priorities, Midwest Dairy recently partnered with them to host a dairy-themed meeting. K-State women’s basketball player and #FueledxDairy influencer Ayoka Lee, who enjoys baking in her spare time, was invited as a special guest for an ice cream sandwich-making evening featuring butter and Call Hall ice cream as the star ingredients.
Lee participated in a small meet-and-greet with the club officers before the meeting started. She filmed and shared an Instagram Reel afterward, encouraging students to check out the Bake Club and consider joining. After the baking session, Midwest Dairy and the Bake Club hosted a friendly game of dairy trivia for 22 attendees to conclude the evening. The trivia featured questions on dairy ingredients, nutrition, and farm practices. The combined social media promotion from Lee and the Bake Club resulted in over 11,300 impressions.
As the semester ends, the Bake Club is preparing for its holiday bake sale, featuring baked goods made with dairy. Additionally, the K-State Agriculturist, a publication produced by ag communication and journalism students on campus, plans to publish an article about the collaboration between Midwest Dairy and the Bake Club in the spring 2025 issue.