Health and Wellbeing

The Fresh Milk Club

When the National Dairy Council set itself the objective of revitalising the School Milk Scheme in 2008, one of its first priorities was to engage with
schools, parents and children. Reversing a negative trend in the numbers participating in School Milk was never going to be an easy task but a number of critical priorities were identified based on research undertaken. The importance of milk and dairy products as a source of calcium should be emphasised and it was vital therefore that the new School Milk Scheme would appeal to children while addressing issues such as refrigeration for schools.

The success of the Fresh Milk Club and the NDC FAI School Liaison Programme throughout the 2009-2010 school year has been particularly encouraging and the NDC aims to build on this success in the coming year. Since September 2009, 4,840 new pupils have joined the club and the NDC and its member dairies will
continue to target even more schools in the coming year so that pupils will benefit from School Milk.

In this particularly challenging economic climate, the EU-subsidised School Milk Scheme offers parents and schools the opportunity to provide pupils with a nutritious addition to school lunch-boxes at a very affordable price.

School Milk: Nutrition Benefits

As part of a healthy, balanced diet, the Department of Health and Children recommends three portions of dairy foods per day for children. The recommended dietary allowance for calcium increases during the teenage years (11-17 yrs) and, therefore, it is advisable that teenagers consume up to five portions of dairy per day.

One ‘portion’ is equivalent to 189ml milk (one carton of School Milk approx), a carton of yogurt or 1oz of hard cheese.

A portion of School Milk provides an array of nutrients namely protein, calcium, iodine and vitamins B2 and B12. And all of this from a delicious refreshing drink!

Trapattoni Supports School Milk

The NDC has been working closely with the FAI to support the promotion of the School Milk & Dairy Programme – providing a combined focus on nutrition and the role of milk as part of a balanced diet; and on exercise as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

The NDC FAI School Liaison Programme has reached 500 primary schools since its inception in 2008. Republic of Ireland Senior Team Manager Giovanni Trapattoni says "We need calcium for strong bones and we need to have a good balanced diet to be healthy and stay healthy. Some children don't get enough calcium and the best way to address that is through dairy products."

"This School Milk Programme is exciting for us in the FAI because through Airtricity League of Ireland Clubs and the medium of football we can really talk to school-children about how important exercise is and how much fun it can be. We hope more school-children will see how attractive milk is as a drink. A healthy and balanced diet is so important to physical fitness and sporting success."

Are the Schools in Your Community Involved?

There are clear benefits for children in relation to the contribution of dairy towards a nutritious diet, but there are benefits to your community and the local dairy sector too. School Milk provided through NDC member dairies is farmed and produced in the Republic of Ireland, helping to protect local dairy farmers and jobs in the dairy sector.

Only pupils of participating schools can receive School Milk. To find out more about the Fresh Milk Club and the benefits of the School Milk Programme, visit our website www.thefreshmilkclub.ie or contact: Tara Regan, School Programme Manager on 01-290 2451 .

Did you know?

Milk is a source of calcium – and from the time you’re born to when you’re all grown up the calcium content in the body increases by over 1kg! So drink up.

Nutri-Myth of the month

Myth: A carton of School Milk a day makes little difference to a child’s diet.

Fact: A carton of School Milk provides a child with a source of calcium, potassium, and phosphorus and is high in protein, vitamin B12, vitamin B2 and iodine and just one carton of school milk a day can provide 58% of a child’s RDA for calcium.

 

If you have any suggestions or ideas, we would be delighted to hear from you via email at feelinggood@ndc.ie or write to us at The National Dairy Council, Innovation House, 3 Arkle Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18 .

 

Don't miss our July feature ‘Summer Nutrition for all the Family’ - available online from Monday 19 July, 2010

 

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