IDF Global School Milk Knowledge Hub to launch in 2021
On World School Milk Day on 30 September, over 100 participants from around the world joined the International Dairy Federation for a virtual seminar that discussed its latest bulletin on school milk programmes, as well as speakers from the US and India, who presented case studies of current programmes and their important impact on childhood nutrition. Nearly 160 million children around the world currently receive and benefit from dedicated school milk programmes.
In addition to the celebrations, the seminar also showcased the IDF’s latest project – the development of a Global School Milk Knowledge Hub, to be launched in early 2021.
This interactive online hub will bring together important information on the role of milk and dairy products in healthy diets produced by sustainable food systems and the UN sustainable development goals. It will provide case study examples and data to assist those wishing to implement school milk programmes in their country and will be a source of information for those who want to learn more about school milk programmes worldwide. IDF with its network and knowledge on the topic is a key element in bringing all this information together, it says.
IDF director general Caroline Emond says, “IDF is preparing to take a next step towards achieving its vision of ‘Helping to nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy’ with an announcement of the imminent launch of our Global School Milk Knowledge Hub. We look forward to sharing further details over the next few months.”
Following on from its previous research into the area, earlier this year, IDF also shared an extensive review of global school milk programmes, introducing data on their important impact on childhood nutrition.
Compiling research from global experts in the field on different programmes around the world, IDF bulletin, The contribution of school milk programmes to the nutrition of children worldwide provides insights on the range of products, along with raw data and a literature review.
The 2020 edition includes a review on the evidence of the nutritional benefits of these programmes, offering new perspectives into the global impact of school milk programmes.
For more about IDF World School Milk Day celebrations, visit www.fil-idf.org