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Lessons Learned

Elementary School Milk Program 101

What is it?
The Elementary School Milk Program ensures that students enjoy the nutritional benefits of cold, fresh milk at school.

How does it work?
In Ontario, the program is administered by Dairy Farmers of Canada and operated by volunteers comprised of teachers, principals and parents in schools. Parents pay a fee, which gives their children the choice of a carton of white or chocolate milk, if available.

How can parents and schools sign up?
In Ontario, visit milkinschool.ca to see if your child's school is registered or call your children's school to get involved. if you want to do more, become a Milk Coordinator volunteer in your children's school.

In the Maritimes, the Elementary School Milk Program is available in virtually all schools. Call your child's school to learn more.

the first day of school was still several weeks away when the Carkner family, of Mallorytown, in central Ontario, went to the Canadian National Exhibition, but visiting the cows at the Farm Building reminded them of one subject that they always look forward to -- milk.

"The kids love it," says Shannon Carkner, who has four children. "If I let him, my son would drink a litre in one go."

The Carkner children's school participates in the Elementary School Milk Program in Ontario, in which each month, Carkner pays a small fee to have cold, fresh milk delivered daily to her kids. They get a choice between white and chocolate, both of which offer the same 16 nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D.

The Elementary School Milk Program, which started 24 years ago, is handled differently in each Canadian province. For example, in Nova Scotia, the price of milk is offered at a reduced cost by the government, and in New Brunswick, by dairy producers and processors. In both provinces, the program is available in virtually all schools. In Ontario, where there are no cafeterias in elementary schools, schools sign up individually every year, with volunteers from within each school running the program.

But regardless of where you live, the Elementary School Milk Program has been a big hit with teachers, students and parents. Now, more than 70 per cent of elementary schools in Ontario have registered in the program.

Solange Heiss, assistant director, marketing and nutrition communications with the Dairy Farmers of Canada explains how it works: "By providing fresh, cold milk at school on a daily basis, the Elementary School Milk Program aims to help kids consume their recommended daily servings of milk and alternatives every day."

Considering that 66 per cent of families in Canada have mothers that work outside the home, or, like the Carkner kids, children pack a lunch because they don't live close to their school, the milk program is a valued mother's helper. Adds Heiss, "by providing that extra carton of milk every day, it helps kids stay healthy, alert and ready to learn."

In addition to providing milk, the Elementary School Milk Program is instrumental in teaching children about nutrition and establishing healthy lifelong habits. Much of the material that shapes the program is developed through feedback from principals, teachers, volunteers and registered dietitians, says Heiss.

Schools in Ontario need a coordinator, such as a parent, grandparent, teacher or staff member to oversee all aspects of the program, including recruiting volunteers. In fact, says Heiss, "when parent volunteers become involved, the program becomes nearly effortless for the school."

A successful program, she continues, is one that is convenient for the parents and fun for the students.

Shannon Carkner praises the Elementary School Milk Program for teaching children about nutrition and getting them involved in imaginative ways.

"The school has draws for free hats," she sites, "and last year everybody participated in World School Milk Day."

Typically held on the last Wednesday of September, World School Milk Day, recognized in more than 40 countries, highlights the importance of milk in students' diets worldwide.

According to Bill Mitchell, a spokesperson for Dairy Farmers of Ontario, there has always been an educational component to the ESMP, but World School Milk Day is a much bigger, international initiative. "It's nice to get milk in front of the kids, but it's great to get them talking about healthy food habits." He adds that by getting students involved in researching their own rojects and presentations, it helps kids understand where milk comes from.

Back at the Ex, Gord Coukell, who operates a dairy farm near Stayner, in central Ontario, sings the praises of the program (and the dairy cows who produce the milk), but he notes that if there's no particpation from teachers and parents in the school, the program won't work. Says Coukell, "Kids would just pick pop."

Even if the children can't always see the advantages, the benefits for parents, educators and dairy farmers are clear: Milk is a source of the vitamins and minerals children need to stay concentrated in school and perform their best. Research is evidenc enough, but just through experience alone, says Coukell, "the teachers in the program would probably tell you that."

You too can help make a difference. Become an ESMP volunteer at a school near you. For information on how the program works and on how the program works and on how to get involved, visit milkinschool.ca.

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