School Milk Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

The School Milk Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization, established in 1991 with a mandate to “increase the consumption of milk among school aged children throughout Newfoundland and Labrador". This mandate was embraced because of concern by parents, educators, health professionals, dairy farmers and milk processors, that Newfoundland’s milk consumption rate was just half the National average. In 2011/12 the School Milk Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador offered a School Milk Program to over 94% of the grades K to 12 students across the province. The SMFNL administers the School Milk Program, and subsidizes the cost of milk to students at school. This allows the price that the students’ pay for School Milk to be set well below the normal retail price, and the price is clearly marked on the cartons. School Milk is available in 250mL and 500mL cartons of white or chocolate milk. Unlike other School Milk Programs in Canada, we have our own branded School Milk packaging, which incorporates action graphics and our slogan to promote milk as part of a healthy active lifestyle. The School Milk Program is primarily industry driven. We receive funding and/or in-kind contributions from Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador, the two dairy processors in our province (Scotsburn Dairies and Central Dairies Limited), and the Agrifoods Division of the provincial Department of Natural Resources. The School Milk Foundation has three full-time office staff, as well as an independent Board of Directors. Our Board Members consist of representatives from the Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Milk Processors, the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association, and the Provincial Government‘s Departments of Education and Health & Community Services. The goals of the School Milk Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador are: 1) to increase milk consumption by school children; 2) to help school children develop positive, lifelong attitudes and habits for proper nutrition; 3) to make milk available at the lowest possible price to children Grades K-12.