Chicago Milk Commission Explained

The Chicago Milk Commission (CMC) was formed in 1908 to combat the consumption of unpasteurized milk which was regarded as a leading cause of infant death in the Chicago area.^[1] It established "milk stations" throughout the city, which provided free pasteurized milk. The staff and volunteers of the CMC created the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago in 1911.^[2]

In 1916 the Milk Producers Association started a series of milk strikes, to increase the price paid by Chicago dealers. By 1917 the rising price of milk led to much reduced consumption (25% that year alone) causing concerns about child welfare. The CMC set the price to 13 cents per quart, for home delivery, a cent less than the prevailing price.^[3]

Further reading

• "Purity, Economy, and Social Welfare in the Progressive Era Pure Milk Movement", Daniel Block, Journal for the Study of Food and Society, Vol. 3 (1999), No. 1, pp. 20-27.

Notes and References

1. Book: Pegram, Thomas R.. Partisans and Progressives: Private Interest and Public Policy in Illinois, 1870-1922. 1992. University of Illinois Press. Urbana & Chicago. 978-0-252-01847-3. 56.
2. https://infantwelfaresociety.org/our-history/ Our History.
3. Book: Thomas R. Pegram. Partisans and Progressives: Private Interest and Public Policy in Illinois, 1870-1922. 1 April 1992. University of Illinois Press. 978-0-252-01847-3. 59.