Editorial: Punching Above Our Weight
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
At the 2012 launch, 119 schools joined and last year 1431 schools took part.
To mark the fifth year, former All Black captain Richie McCaw will fly special helicopter milk runs to schools.
He will visit four schools selected from online entries saying why he should visit. Where possible, he will fly in to deliver milk. Local farmers will also be part of the visit.
Primary schools can be nominated until March 19 on Fonterra.com. Updates can be followed on Fonterra’s Facebook page.
Fonterra general manager, community programmes, Chris Ward says Milk for Schools is still growing.
“Two things stand out about it for us: ensuring Kiwi kids get a daily dose of quality nutrition and the generosity of Fonterra and its farmers to make it happen.”
The programme is also said to help with a sustainability initiative in which the Tetrapak milk packs are recycled in Thailand into school books, roof tiles, etc. There is no such recycling machine in NZ.
Milk for Schools has been underlined by two university health studies showing health benefits to children, particularly improved bone and dental health.
