World School Milk Day is today and the National Dairy Council (NDC) is taking the opportunity to highlight its role in promoting school milk and in dairy education at the NDC Dome at the National Ploughing Championships.
Children from 3rd class of Rath National School, Ballybrittas, Portlaoise, Co Laois, along with their principal Anne Garry, were at the NDC Dome this morning to celebrate World School Milk Day.
The schoolchildren met with Irish Olympic boxer Darren O’Neill and Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
NDC Nutritionist Caroline O’Donovan said World School Milk Day creates a platform to highlight to Irish families that milk is not only a readily available and convenient drink, but that it also provides consumers with a relatively inexpensive source of nutrients.
“Milk provides a package of nutrients such as calcium, protein, iodine, vitamin B2 and vitamin B12. So, not only is milk an affordable source of a range of important nutrients – but the versatility of milk and milk products makes them great value for money too, as they are perfect for use in a wide range of cooked and baked dishes and across many meal time and snacking occasions,” she added.
Teachers and primary school students are invited to find out how to take part in Moo Crew – The Primary Dairy Moovement by asking about it at the NDC Dome at the ploughing, or by visiting www.moocrew.ie.
Teenagers and secondary school teachers can find out about the secondary school competition, the NDC Milk It Awards, at www.milkitawards.ie.
Sporting stars
Visitors to the NDC Dome will have the opportunity to meet with some leading sports stars who are supporting the NDC’s work in promoting the positive role that milk may play in a number of aspects of sports nutrition.
This morning Irish Olympic boxer Darren O’Neill met with members of the public. Tomorrow, between 11am-3pm Tipperary hurler Padraic Maher and Dublin hurling manager Anthony Daly from 11am.
Pictured a student from 3rd class of Rath National School, Ballybrittas sampling free milk at the National Ploughing Championships today
