€1.25 million investment to distribute fresh local milk in schools
More than 35,000 students will benefit from an initiative that promotes balanced nutrition and supports Maltese producers.
The Government is extending the fruit and vegetable distribution scheme in schools so that for the first time, local fresh milk is also included under this initiative, through an investment of €1,254,400, excluding VAT, over a period of two years.
This initiative, which is a Budget measure, was announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply Anton Refalo and the Minister for Education and Sports Byron Camilleri, with the aim of continuing to promote healthy eating habits among children and young people, while creating new opportunities for local milk producers.
The scheme will reach over 25,000 students in primary schools and around 10,000 students in secondary schools. In primary schools, each student will receive six portions of milk per month, while in secondary schools one portion per month will be distributed to each student.
When the investment in local fresh milk is also added to the cost of distributing fruit and vegetables under the same scheme, the total investment over two years reaches €3,763,200, excluding VAT.
Minister Anton Refalo stated that this initiative combines two important objectives: improving child nutrition and strengthening local agricultural production.
“Through this initiative we are investing directly in the health of our children, while giving concrete support to the local dairy sector. By delivering fresh Maltese milk to our schools, we are promoting healthy food choices and at the same time creating opportunities for Maltese producers. This is an initiative that also looks at the sustainability of local food production,” said Minister Refalo.
Milk is a source of important nutrients, including calcium and protein, which contribute to bone and muscle development. Together with the distribution of fruit and vegetables, the scheme should continue to strengthen students’ awareness of the importance of a balanced diet.
Minister Byron Camilleri stressed the importance of, along with quality education, encouraging children and students to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
“We want our children and students to not only have a healthy education, but also to live a healthy life, among other things by consuming more fruit, vegetables and milk. We are doing this hand in hand with my colleague, Minister Anton Refalo, where we are not only encouraging children to eat healthy food, but we are also providing them with these products during school hours. Through this scheme, fruit, vegetables and milk will once again be distributed to students in schools, as was also done when I myself was a student. In this way, we are helping our children develop good eating habits from a young age,” said Minister Camilleri.
The initiative is also an opportunity for the local dairy sector, as the distribution of Maltese products in schools is expected to create additional demand and continue to strengthen the link between local agricultural production and consumers.
The two ministers reiterated the importance of collaboration between ministries, schools and local producers so that initiatives such as these continue to have concrete benefits for children, families and the Maltese agricultural sector.
This scheme continues to build on the work being done to promote more balanced food choices, while giving priority to local products and the future of food production in our country.
Photos: MAFF/MES
