Farmers' call
OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.
Fisher & Paykel is providing Fonterra with discounted fridges for each of the participating schools who take part in the programme.
Made at Fisher & Paykel's East Tamaki Plant in Auckland, the fridges are being specifically tailored with strengthened shelves and adjusted airflow to ensure the milk is perfectly chilled within 24 hours.
Fonterra Milk for Schools offers all primary-aged children in more than 2000 schools throughout New Zealand a free serving of milk every school day.
Fonterra Group general manager global cooperative social responsibility Carly Robinson said feedback from the Northland pilot has shown how important it is to provide fridges that suit the school environment.
"Flexibility is something we try to achieve throughout the programme to make sure Fonterra Milk for Schools fits seamlessly into each school's days," she said.
"It's great to have Fisher & Paykel on board showing their support for Fonterra Milk for Schools and helping us give schools fridges to suit their needs."
Fisher & Paykel Appliances' vice-president corporate planning and media, Matthew Orr, says the company is proud to support a programme that provides nutrition to Kiwi kids.
"Gone are the days when kids had to drink warm milk and I'm sure anyone who remembers those days will be glad of that," he says. "It's fantastic we are able to help ensure New Zealand children can enjoy milk the way it's meant to be – chilled and full of nutrition.
"Along with tailoring the fridges to suit the Fonterra Milk for Schools programme we are also able to offer three different fridge sizes that Fonterra can use to match to schools sizes."
Fisher & Paykel will install the fridges to participating schools through the company's nation-wide network of technicians, with its New Zealand-based contact centre providing support where needed.
Fonterra Milk for Schools will start rolling out in Southland towards the end of Term 1 with Christchurch following a few weeks after. It's expected that by the end of Term 1 2014 all schools who want to take part in the programme will have access to milk every school day.
