Milestone for Milk for Schools

A total of 1480 primary schools throughout New Zealand including the Chatham, Great Barrier and Stewart Islands are part of the programme that sees thousands of children enjoying Anchor milk every school day.

Fonterra director of social responsibility Carolyn Mortland says it's great to mark the start of the new school year with such an achievement.

"Delivering 50 million packs is a significant milestone and a lot of work has gone into making this happen," she says.

"The biggest thanks must go to our 10,500 farmers who provide the milk for our children," she said. "As well as providing the milk they also support the programme by hosting school farm visits, or visit schools to talk about being a Fonterra farmer.

"A big thanks also goes to our partners in the programme – the schools. The teachers and milk monitors do a great job in making sure the kids get their milk every day."

Mortland says the programme also teaches kids valuable lessons around leadership and recycling. Over the years the 50 million packs have been folded flat and sent to Thailand and Malaysia to be recycled into roof tiles and school exercise books.

Fonterra Milk for Schools is New Zealand's largest corporate social responsibility programme and was offered to all primary schools in 2013. Seventy per cent of schools now take part.