The public is invited to sample locally produced dairy foods and meet Detroit Pistons Community Ambassador Earl Cureton at Dairy Foods Awareness Day, an annual event sponsored by the Michigan Dairy Foods Association (MDFA), with support from United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), to recognize the impact of Michigan’s dairy industry on the state’s economy and the role the industry plays in feeding and nourishing citizens.
EVENT INFORMATION:
WHAT: Dairy Foods Awareness Day
WHEN: Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Michigan State Capitol, Southeast Lawn, Lansing, Michigan
The event will take place rain or shine, inside a large tent.
WHO:
- State House Representative Julie Alexander (R – District 64)
- State Senator Ed McBroom (R – District 38)
- Special Guest Earl Cureton, former NBA player, WNBA assistant coach and current community ambassador for the Detroit Pistons
- Jason Wadaga, President of Government Relations, Michigan Dairy Foods Association
- Representatives of Michigan’s Dairy Industry
DETAILS:
11:30 a.m. Media Opportunities:
- Opportunity to collect B-roll of Earl Cureton interacting with attendees. Earl will be on-hand to talk about improving eating habits, physical activity, and access to nutritional food options for children.
- Michigan dairy processors and retailers will be on-site displaying products and distributing free dairy product samples, including pizza, ice cream, flavored coffee beverages, cheeses, chip dips, milk and yogurt. Industry members will be available for media interviews.
- Media interviews may be conducted with Jason Wadaga, President of Government Affairs, Michigan Dairy Foods Association.
12:00 Noon Program:
- Remarks from Michigan Legislators Rep. Julie Alexander and Sen. Ed McBroom; Detroit Pistons Community Ambassador Earl Cureton; and Jason Wadaga, Michigan Dairy Foods Association.
Participating Dairy Products Vendors:
- Country Fresh (Dean Foods)
- Prairie Farms
- Kroger/Michigan Dairy
- Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream
- Michigan Milk Producers Association
- MSU Dairy Store
- Dairy Farmers of America
- Country Dairy
- Domino’s Pizza
- LaColombe
- McDonald’s
- Guernsey Farms Dairy
Biography – Earl Cureton:
Earl Cureton is in his sixth season with the Detroit Pistons as a community ambassador where he works to raise awareness for Pistons in the Community programs.
Prior to joining the Pistons community efforts, Cureton spent five seasons as a WNBA assistant coach with the Phoenix Mercury (2012-13), Charlotte Sting (2005-06), and Detroit Shock in 2009, where he worked under Pistons Bad Boy Rick Mahorn.
A 12-year NBA veteran, Cureton was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 58th overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft. Known as “The Twirl,” the 6’9″ forward was a part of two NBA championship teams, the 76ers in 1982-83 and the Houston Rockets in 1993-94. Cureton also played three seasons with the Detroit Pistons and spent time with the Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors.
Cureton played collegiately at Division I Robert Morris University before transferring to University of Detroit Mercy for his final two seasons under head coach Dick Vitale. Fulfilling a life-long dream 30 years later, Cureton went back to U of D and earned his college degree in Human Services and was awarded his Bachelor of Science in 2011. A native Detroiter, Cureton prepped at Finney High School.
