This is a subscriber-only article
On World School Milk Day, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has called on school principals to get the academic year off to a great start by availing of the school milk scheme.
“Providing children with the option of consuming a portion of dairy during the school day at a very affordable price is an excellent way to reinforce healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.”
The National Dairy Council (NDC) is now taking registrations for the 2020/2021 academic year with schools receiving free fridges under the milk scheme.
Balanced diet
The national children’s food survey has shown that over one third of Irish children aged five to 12 years have inadequate intakes of calcium.
Nutritionist with the NDC Caroline Gunn said: “Milk is one of the best dietary sources of calcium, a nutrient that is well recognised for its important role in normal bone growth and development.
“As part of a balanced diet, the healthy eating guidelines recommend three daily servings from the milk, yoghurt and cheese food group for five to eight year olds and five daily servings for nine to 18 year olds.”
To celebrate world school milk day, the NDC is offering all children who are participating in the milk scheme with the opportunity to design a poster for their local milk supplier.
For more on this competition and to register for the scheme contact schoolmilk@ndc.ie or click here.
SHARING OPTIONS: