Falkirk West MSP Swaps Question Time for Milk Time

News Release

20th May 2013

Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, celebrated the Government’s free nursery milk scheme with children at Wellside Kindergarten by swapping his parliamentary duties for milk monitor duties.

Mr Matheson visited the nursery on Friday (17th May) to act as milk monitor and help serve milk to the children.

Nursery Leader Susan Adrian said: “We were delighted to welcome the local MSP to the nursery today. We take nutrition very seriously and providing milk is a great way of supporting the health and development of the children in our care.”

In Scotland , school milk is free for children in day care or primary education under the age of five, and subsidised for school students aged five to 11.

Commenting on today’s visit, Mr Matheson said: “I am pleased to be able to offer my support in highlighting the benefits of the nursery milk scheme.

“There is a range of benefits that young children can get from milk, and providing it through our nurseries is a great way of ensuring as many children as possible participate in the scheme.”

Wellside Kindergarten’s school milk scheme is operated and administered by leading school milk supplier Cool Milk.

The company, which supplies milk to approximately 24,320 schools, nurseries and early years child care providers, sources the milk from a local dairy to ensure it is delivered fresh and chilled to the classroom. The milk is then distributed by students and consumed as a group which aids children’s social development, including responsibility, independence and manners.

John Sedgwick, Managing Director for Cool Milk, said encouraging milk consumption from an early age is vital for establishing good eating habits. “What better time in life to start drinking milk than when we need it most?” he said.

“School milk is excellent as a mid-morning drink as it provides a nutritional boost and keeps children hydrated between breakfast and lunch, helping them to concentrate and learn.

“Milk contains protein, essential for growth, carbohydrate, vitamins A, B and D, and even a small amount of vitamin C. It is also a fantastic source of calcium and phosphorus, which are both essential for the healthy growth and maintenance of bones and teeth.

“If calcium intake is insufficient when bones are growing and developing, they may never reach full strength, and this can increase the risk of osteoporosis in later life.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Cool Milk is the UK’s leading school milk supplier, working in partnership with local authorities and early years groups to supply free and subsidised school milk to children in pre-schools, nurseries, and primary schools across the UK.
• Its aim is to provide every child in early years and primary education with the opportunity to drink fresh milk every day.
• The Cool Milk scheme is administration friendly and cost-free, and is designed to make providing school milk quick and simple for schools and nurseries.
• For more information visit www.coolmilk.com
• For the top ten reasons to drink school milk go to www.coolmilk.com/whyschoolmilk

Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
kate@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @KateStrawson

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