16 December 2011
Farmers positive about milk into schools trial
The plan to trial milk in Northland’s schools during the first term of 2012 comes from the farms of 10,500
farmer-shareholders who make up Fonterra Cooperative Group.
“Farmer-shareholders received briefings last night and today and the milk in schools trial got a sympathetic hearing,”
says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
“The commitment to this trial isn’t the actions of a faceless corporate, but comes from the hearts of Fonterra’s 10,500
farmer-shareholders. Most farmer-shareholders are parents themselves so know the fantastic health benefits dairy
provides. Above all, we’re all Kiwis.
“If New Zealand is to become the global leader in dairy nutrition then I guess “it starts here”. Those words happen to
hang outside the gate of each of Fonterra supplier-shareholder.
“As with everything in life it’s not where you start out, but rather, where the journey takes you. On TVNZ Breakfast
this morning, I heard one interviewee estimate it would cost many tens of millions to roll this out to every primary
school.
“We must remember Fonterra is a farmer owned cooperative and not a government agency. If Government thinks this is a
good idea, as we do, then it needs to share the costs with Fonterra and any other dairy company which may join the
scheme.
“In the meantime, Federated Farmers will be making strong representations to Fonterra that its trial packaging must
clearly state this milk comes from Kiwi dairy farmers.
“We’d also urge Fonterra to look closely at the inspired ‘Got Milk?’ campaign that has been running in the United States for sometime.
“While occasionally irreverent it is hugely relevant because ‘Got Milk?’ has taken on the soft drink industry at its own marketing game,” Mr Leferink concluded.