Health and Wellbeing

The School Milk Scheme - Join the Club

Click here to go to The Fresh Milk Club Website

Children throughout Ireland are enjoying being part of one of Ireland’s fastest growing clubs - the Fresh Milk Club. Since September 2009, 4,840 new pupils have joined the club and we want even more schools and pupils to benefit from this EU subsidised programme.

The Fresh Milk Club

The Fresh Milk Club aims to provide children in Irish schools with one of their recommended three portions of dairy a day. Because School Milk is subsidised, this nutritious drink comes at a very affordable price. The convenience of School Milk is second to none as all children registered in participating schools receive individual milk cartons or bottles, delivered directly to schools by their local dairy. Since the launch of the Fresh Milk Club in September 2009, the School Milk Scheme has undergone many exciting developments.

We know that children are bombarded with many health messages, so our aim is to promote milk and its nutritional values in a fun and engaging way. The NDC has developed attractive fun packaging with its member dairies which reflects the natural and nutritious qualities of milk.

To ensure that children enjoy their school milk at its freshest, the NDC provides free fridges and cooler-bags to participating schools. Through its partner the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the NDC organises nutrition and coaching sessions in schools that register for the programme, to help pupils understand the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. In 2009, 417 primary schools benefited from nutritional briefings and coaching sessions.

A Healthy Balanced Diet

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. Adequate intakes of essential nutrients are required for overall health and wellbeing.

Secondary Schools

A healthy, balanced diet and an active lifestyle are essential at all stages of life. However, just 12% of secondary schools participate in the School Milk Scheme. Following the success of the Fresh Milk Club in primary schools the NDC will be launching a School Milk programme in secondary schools from be supported by the NDC’s partnership with the FAI. Joining the Fresh Milk Club is easy, but only children at participating schools can benefit from School Milk. If you would like more information, please contact the NDC on 01-616 9726 to request an information pack or log on to www.thefreshmilkclub.ie.

Fresh Milk Club Fans

It’s important for children to understand the benefits of a healthy diet from an early age. The Easter holidays are fast approaching and what better way to put a spring in their step than to encourage children to learn more about the benefits of dairy while having fun? The newly launched pupil area of the Fresh Milk Club website is bursting with dairy related games and activities that will keep children of all ages busy for hours.

Log on to www.thefreshmilkclub.ie/pupils for some great family fun!

Fresh Milk Club Fun

Play games and learn about dairy while having fun. Test your knowledge with our exciting new web games which include:

  • Crosswords
  • Word Search
  • Memory Games
  • Word Scramble
  • An Interactive Food Pyramid

Click on www.thefreshmilkclub.ie/pupils to get started. All of the games have a timer, so record your scores and try to improve each time you play. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Did you know?

Results from national surveys have revealed inadequate intakes of certain vitamins and minerals among Irish children and teenagers. For example, surveys reported that 37% and 28% of girls and boys (9-12 yrs) respectively and 42% and 23% of teenage girls and boys (13-17 yrs) respectively, had inadequate calcium intakes.

Nutri-Myth of the month

Myth: A carton of school milk adds little to my overall diet

Truth: A carton of school milk (189ml) provides one portion of your recommended three daily servings of dairy and provides a number of essential nutrients: protein, calcium, phosphorous, iodine, riboflavin and vitamin B12.

 

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, 28 Westland Square, Dublin 2.

 

Don't miss our next edition ‘Irish Butter - A delicious and versatile food’ - available online from Monday 19 April, 2010

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