Engagement with schools ‘highly valued by Dairy Council NI levy payers’
The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland (DCNI) had a very successful 2025/2026 academic year in terms of the work it carries out in schools, based on all engagement metrics.
That is according to DCNI chief executive, Ian Stevenson.
He said: “This enduring collaboration has enabled the Dairy Council to become a trusted presence within the education sector, reaching generations of young people and contributing positively to learning and wellbeing in classrooms."
Stevenson outlined that DCNI supported teachers, engaged pupils, and promoted a greater understanding of nutrition, health and the role of dairy in a balanced diet and active lifestyle via educational programmes, resources and partnerships.
He said: “Today’s children are the consumers and opinion leaders of tomorrow.
“As a result, direct engagement with schools is highly valued by Dairy Council levy payers, providing an important opportunity to support informed attitudes and understanding from an early age."
The communication links that are forged between the Dairy Council and schools reach out to children of all ages
By the end of June each year, 26,000 of DCNI’s ‘Milk and More’ booklets are distributed to every primary school in Northern Ireland and feature within the information packs that are sent out to the parents of every child enrolling for Primary One.
“These booklets provide nutritional information, encourage the uptake of nutritious break-time school milk, and cover several key areas to help parents navigate school milk options," Stevenson explained.
“Specifically, where healthy eating is concerned, they highlight the essential nutrients that dairy provides for growing children.
“The booklets also set milk intake within the context of eating well and staying hydrated throughout the school day.”
Beyond Milk and More, the Dairy Council supports Northern Ireland’s School Milk Subsidy Scheme, which is financially subsidied by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
This measure provides parents of primary school children with the opportunity to avail of nutrient-rich milk and the significant benefits the product brings.
For example, a 189ml carton of school milk can provide more than half of a five-year-old’s daily needs for calcium, phosphorous, iodine, and vitamin B12, and a third of their protein needs.
The Dairy Council is keen to build on engagement for the future. And with this in mind, it is producing a new video resource for schools, showing the journey and telling the story of school milk from the farm to the classroom.
Stevenson said: “We are pleased to confirm that the work is progressing as planned and will be completed ahead of the new school year, which commences in September, allowing for implementation within schools in time for the new term.”
World Milk Day
September will also see the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations hosting World School Milk Day. This event is always held on the last Wednesday in September.
This initiative is a celebration of the positive impact milk can have on children's health, learning, and development around the globe, according to the DCNI representative.
“It also provides the Dairy Council with a unique opportunity to further profile the benefits of Northern Ireland’s School Milk Scheme," Stevenson added.
