fbpx
Print this page
Monday, 19 March 2012 16:10

Milk flows in Northland schools

Written by 

Northland community leaders gathered at Manaia View School in Whangarei yesterday to celebrate the first day of the Fonterra Milk for Schools programme.

Leanne Otene, Principal of Manaia View, says the school wanted to recognise today as an important milestone for Northland children and the Northland community alike.

"Today is very exciting for all of us. When it comes to our kids, improving their nutrition is an absolute priority and it's wonderful to be able to offer students a serving of milk every school day," says Otene.

Manaia View is one of more than 100 Northland schools that dished out milk to around 10,000 children today – a move that Chris Farrelly, CEO of Manaia Health, sees as a game-changer for the wellbeing of New Zealand children.

"Milk is vital for development, providing essential energy, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. Providing free milk to children in school will ensure that it becomes a fundamental part of our children's diets," says Farrelly.

"Fonterra's effort to ensure our kids are getting the milk nutrition they need is one that will significantly impact not only our children, but our whole community, in a positive way."

Fonterra announced the Fonterra Milk for Schools programme late last year and has since been working with Northland schools and communities to set up the pilot in a way that makes it as easy as possible for schools to participate.

The co-op will monitor the pilot for the first three terms, with the intention of rolling it out nationwide in 2013, says Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings.

"Our motivation is to get more Kiwis drinking more milk, and this starts with our kids.

"Milk is without a doubt, one of the most nutritious foods there is and as leaders in dairy nutrition, we want to do what we can to make it more accessible to New Zealanders," says Spierings.

Fonterra is still accepting registrations for the pilot. To find out more or register a school please visit www.fonterramilkforschools.com.

More like this

Fonterra's in good shape

Fonterra released its interim results last month, showing a continuation of the strong earnings performance delivered by the co-op through the 2023 financial year. Here’s what Fonterra chair Peter McBride and chief executive Miles Hurrell said about the results…

China trade

OPINION: Last week's revelation that data relating to New Zealand MPs was stolen amid Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting two arms of the country’s Parliament could test the long-standing trade relations between the two countries.

Featured

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

National

Ploughing Champs success

Sean Leslie and Casey Tilson from Middlemarch, with horses Beau and Dough, took out the Rural News Horse Plough award…

Farmers oppose work visa changes

Farmers are crying foul over changes announced by the Government this week to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.

Machinery & Products

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…