New Zealand returns to free school milk

Fonterra is now piloting a new version of the government-funded milk-in-schools programme, which operated in New Zealand from 1937-67. The dairy giant has started a Northland programme for its national proposal by providing free-lease refrigerators to primary schools in the region which have registered for free milk. A total of 112 schools out of 133 signed up and are participating in the Fonterra scheme, which was launched on 19 March.

“We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the support shown by the Northland community and we can’t wait to start filling the school fridges. It’s great to know that we’ll be providing a dose of dairy nutrition to more than 10,000 Kiwi kids every school day,” says Theo Spierings, CEO of Fonterra (pictured with children).

Fonterra plans to deliver its 250ml cartons of Anchor Lite ultra-heat treatment milk (UHT) weekly or fortnightly, up to 5,000 cartons per school. UHT milk has a shelf life of six to nine months at room temperature. Fonterra is providing fridges so the children can drink chilled milk, and will also supply bins for cartons to be recycled.