School Milk’s back; and 92% of parents don’t realise it

Published: 01 June, 2007

School Milk was axed in 1971 by then Education Secretary Margaret Thatcher. However 30 years on, and the old favourite is back in schools.

5.6 million Primary School children in England are entitled to 189ml of free or subsidised milk everyday, thanks to UK funding from the Welfare Foods scheme, and EU subsidy available under the Rural Payment Agency.

This year; from its Lincolnshire base of operations, National School Milk Agency Cool Milk at School has enabled 2633 schools to put school milk back on the menu, offering refrigerated milk to 467,000 primary school aged children.

However; worryingly 92% of children may still not be getting a daily intake of the essential nutrients, necessary for a healthy balanced diet.

Managing Director of Cool Milk at School, Jon Thornes said: “Milk is a power house of nutrients, and one of the richest sources of calcium. We have made milk accessible to 8% of England’s children, but every child, in every school should have the opportunity.” Alan Johnson, Secretary of state for Education & Skills shares this view: “The secretary of state for Education & Skills strongly recommends that drinking milk is made available as an option everyday.”

Dame Suzi Leather, Deputy Chair of Food Standards Agency added: “Milk is the most nutritionally complete food containing nearly all the constituents of nutritional importance to humans. In particular it is essential for the development of strong healthy teeth and bones in young children.”

“A glass of milk provides a six year old child with 55% of the calcium he or she needs everyday.”

The Cool Milk Scheme is active in 31 Local Education Authorities; this service is available to all 150 LEAs in England.

Contact the Cool Milk Team at: info@coolmilk.com