To the Editor:

A few weeks ago, I read the article, “Milk and fresh veggies: Who needs them?” I was very happy to see that several community groups were coming together to donate vegetables to the food banks. However, I was really disappointed to see that dairy milk was being encouraged.

There are so many healthier alternatives these days: almond milk, cashew milk and soy milk. For example, almond milk provides 45-percent calcium (more than the 30-percent dairy milk quoted in the article) and 25-percent vitamin D (equal to the 25-percent dairy milk quoted in the article).

In addition to being healthy, these milks are cruelty-free! Many cows are abused, tortured and kept pregnant so they can continue to produce milk for their young, who are taken away on some farms for the meat industry.

In conclusion, consuming a milk alternative is a win-win for everyone, and I wish the food bank would encourage these milks instead.

Michelle Heisler

Northampton