DairyCo

DairyCo's School Milk Project

Published 24 November 11

Following a massive review of agricultural levy boards, Defra announced in June 2006 that the five levy boards covering milk, meat, horticulture, potatoes and cereals would be replaced by one - the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) - in April 2008

The Milk Development Council (MDC) was therefore replaced by DairyCo as the new milk sector company under the AHDB, working on behalf of dairy farmers to provide services not supplied by the industry. DairyCo itself is a not-for-profit, non-commercial organisation.

The School Milk Project (TSMP) continues to be a key consumer communications activity for DairyCo, helping to promote the positive image of milk and dairy farming. Established since 1998, DairyCo's School Milk Project continues to support schools with free resources and advice on milk production, dairy farming and milk provision.

In 2010 DairyCo conducted a full review of in school activities. Additional research commissioned with practising teachers and children provided insight and further understanding of the ever changing schools landscape. Following this review DairyCo further developed and relaunched its Schools and Education programme in January 2011.

The strategy review resulted in some changes. Robust research, with practising teachers, identified how important it is that education resources meet the changing communications needs of teachers and the curriculum. DairyCo concluded that they need to be working much closer with other education organisations that also provide support to schools and their network groups. This allows DairyCo to be more targeted in approach.

The exciting new strategy for activity in schools uses farmer-paid levy funds to enhance DairyCo's existing investment in the Food - a fact of lifeprogramme www.foodafactoflife.org.uk. This web based education resource promotes all food groups from production through to consumption providing teachers with curriculum-relevant information in a variety of formats. It was developed in 2005 by the British Nutrition Foundation with support from various levy boards and since then has gone from strength to strength and now provides resources for pre-school through to secondary. DairyCo plans include upgrading the existing FFL website to build upon and extend its reach, penetration and success.

DairyCo will continue to offer free resources, support and advice to Local Authorities (LA) and schools about introducing or increasing milk provision in their schools. This will be done via the existing helpline 0870 241 2693 and school milk website www.schoolmilk.co.uk. DairyCo will also continue to support Out of The Classroom activity by facilitating visits to farms, through increasing support for existing farming organisations offering educational activities eg: Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) and the Royla Highland Education Trust (RHET)

View our online resources

Dairy farming - foodafactoflife.org.uk

The farm visit - foodafactoflife.org.uk

In the meantime, if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0870 241 2693 or email project@schoolmilk.co.uk