The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland is celebrating World School Milk Day by highlighting the importance of milk consumption for school children across Northern Ireland.
With approximately 60% of pupils making use of the EU scheme, which offers milk at a subsidised rate, the Dairy Council is calling for this to increase by approximately 10% to ensure that more young people in nurseries, key stage one and two classes benefit.
Dr Mike Johnston, Chief Executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, said:
“A carton of school milk provides children with a natural source of many nutrients needed for their good health and development.
“As well as being fantastic value for money, milk is a rich source of calcium, important for growing bones; a carton of break–time milk provides half of a five year old’s daily calcium needs. Milk also contains protein, potassium, iodine, phosphorus and B vitamins.
“It is important that we establish a routine of drinking milk from an early age so that they will continue this habit into adulthood. Break–time milk provides a great opportunity to do this as well as offering children a good source of fluid to keep them hydrated and help maintain concentration levels in the classroom.”
The Dairy Council is involved in running a number of initiatives in primary schools across Northern Ireland to make people aware of the benefits of milk for growing children.
Find out more about school milk here
Picture shows pupils from Elmgrove Primary School, Belfast helping the Dairy Council to highlight the benefits of milk drinking on World School Milk Day.