Farmers call for return of school milk program

Millions of Aussie schoolkids got free milk at school from the 1950s to the 1970s. Now struggling dairy farmers are leading the call to “bring back the milk”.

Farmers want a free “real milk” program returned to Victorian schools, to boost the struggling dairy industry and kids’ health.

According to the Dietitians Association of Australia, fewer than 10 per cent of nine to 18-year-old children are now meeting their dairy requirements for good health.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) president Paul Mumford said the rollout of a government-funded milk program across all primary schools could help turn the tide of families consuming cows milk alternatives, like almond and soy.

The UDV is the dairy voice of the Victorian Farmers Federation.

“Every dairy farmer would be calling for this,” Mr Mumford said. “There should be bipartisan support from all levels of government and all industry players including processors. We absolutely need a school milk program to come back.”

The latest Australian dairy industry outlook report lists school milk programs as a factor driving dairy demand in developing markets.

A government-funded school milk program was operated in Australian schools from the 1950s to 1970s.

The DAA’s Melanie McGrice said milk was a great source of nutrients, including protein, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and zinc.

It provided bone-building calcium in a readily absorbable and convenient form and had a low GI (glycaemic index), which could improve children’s concentration at school.

Most children had outgrown cow’s milk protein allergies by the time they got to school, and while lactose intolerance was a common complaint, it did not cause harm to health, Ms McGrice, an advanced, accredited dietitian, said.

“In fact, cutting out lactose is more likely to trigger a lactose intolerance,” she said.

Free milk was given out in Australian schools by ‘milk monitors’ for many years.

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said the state government already provided milk to 500 schools as part of its breakfast club program, and that program was set to be doubled in size and expanded to include lunches.

The program provides meals for disadvantaged students.

But the UDV said a free milk program should be rolled out across all Victorian primary schools — and made available to all students — not just those who were part of the breakfast program.

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A call for the reintroduction of a school milk program from former independent Senator Nick Xenophon in 2016 failed to gain traction, but Mr Mumford said he hoped the Victorian dairy farmers’ appeal would gain support from all quarters.

Australian Dairy Farmers president Terry Richardson said his organisation was supportive of any program that improved engagement between the dairy industry and Australian schoolchildren.

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