Monday, 31 December 2012 13:00

Cheers... come to the party

Written by 

FONTERRA IS still looking for Government and other support for its national Milk for Schools programme.

 The co-op is launching the national scheme on its own, but says it would welcome co-sponsorship. A total of 350,000 primary school children throughout New Zealand will be offered a free serving of milk every school day from next year, as part of the scheme.

Fonterra group general manager global cooperative social responsibility, Carly Robinson, says it is open to talks with the Government and others. She says some "in-kind partners" are helping with logistics. However, the co-op is the sole funder of the scheme and is prepared to spend "a substantial amount" on its own.

"One area of support we need from the Government is the level of health impact over time from the Milk for Schools programme," Robinson told Rural News.

After a successful trial in Northland schools this year, the national scheme was launched last week at Hillpark Primary School in South Auckland by chief executive Theo Spierings and All Blacks captain and Fonterra ambassador Riche McCaw. Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne was also present.

Spierings says Fonterra is committed to Milk for Schools because it will make a lasting difference to the health of New Zealand's children.

"We want Kiwis to grow up drinking milk because it's good for them and we are proud this programme will give every primary school kid the chance to enjoy this nutritious product.

"New Zealand is the largest exporter of dairy products in the world, but at home we're not drinking as much milk as we used to. We want to be the dairy nutrition capital of the world and this starts with our kids."
Research by the University of Auckland has shown that children's milk consumption in the Northland community, at school and at home, has significantly increased since the pilot began.

More like this

Fonterra R&D: Innovation needs more than just PhDs

Common sense and good human judgement are still a key requirement for the super highly qualified staff working at one of New Zealand's largest and most important research facilities - Fonterra's R&D Centre at Palmerston North.

Featured

$52,500 fine for effluent mismanagement

A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.

Ospri brings Bovine TB testing in-house

The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.

National

Machinery & Products

Fliegl offers effluent solutions

Founded in Germany as recently as 1977, today, the Fliegl Group employs more than 1100 workers, offering an expansive range…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter