Real California Milk To Ring In 2017 At The Rose Parade®

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and MODESTO, Calif., April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Revelers at the 2017 Tournament of Roses festivities will have an opportunity to continue their celebration of California dairy foods and farm families as the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) today announced Real California Milk's participation in the 128^th Rose Parade®. It is the second time California's more than 1,400 dairy families and the real dairy foods made with their milk will be represented in the parade.

Real California Milk's 2016 float entry was recognized with the Tournament Special Trophy, honoring "Exceptional Merit in Multiple Classifications." The "Adventures in Real Food" float showcased popular foods made from milk, such as butter, ice cream, yogurt and cheese. The float featured five young dairy leaders and was certified "California Grown" in recognition of its use of over 85 percent flowers and foliage from California growers.

"Food and agriculture are essential to American life and the Rose Parade offers a tremendous stage to feature the delicious foods that California dairy families help bring to the table," said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. "The 2017 theme – Echoes of Success – is especially pertinent as these dairy families and their multi-generational heritage are what makes California the number one dairy state. We look forward to another award-winning year."

Ninety-nine percent of California dairies are family owned. The dairy industry plays an important role in the economic vitality of California and is the state's number one agricultural commodity. Dairy farming and dairy processing added approximately $21 billion in value added to the state's economic gross state product in 2014. California is number one in fluid milk, butter and ice cream production and the second largest producer of cheese and yogurt in the U.S.

About the California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's more than 1,400 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information and to connect with the CMAB through social media, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, like at Facebook.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, view videos at YouTube.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, follow at Twitter.com/RealCalifMilk and Instagram.com/RealCalifMilk and pin at Pinterest.com/RealCalifMilk.

About the Tournament of Roses®
The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade®, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. Nine hundred thirty-five volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization and contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 128^th Rose parade, presented by Honda, will take place Monday, January 2, 2017, followed by the 103^rd Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. Learn more at www.tournamentofroses.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE California Milk Advisory Board