The programme encourages pupils to consume milk and dairy products as part of a balanced diet, and plays an important educational role by encouraging the adoption of healthy eating patterns.
Through the School Milk Scheme, subsidies are provided so that milk and dairy foods can be provided to children in primary and special education schools at a reduced cost.
Parents make a contribution towards the cost, which varies between each Education Authority region in Northern Ireland, but on average, the 189ml carton of school milk is around 20p… fantastic value when you consider the benefits it can provide!
It has been confirmed that the School Milk Scheme (previously the EU School Milk Scheme) will continue, with funding in place to allow the Scheme to operate until at least the end of 2023/2024.
For younger children, the Day Care Foods Scheme enables children under five to receive, free of charge, 189ml of milk each day they attend approved day care facilities for two hours or more.
The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland is responsible for the legislation governing the scheme, and the Business Services Organisation administrates the scheme on the Department’s behalf.
Great Value
Free Milk
55%
Great Value
Free Milk
55%
In 2000, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) declared the last Wednesday of September each year to be World School Milk Day - an international day to recognise and celebrate the nutrition and health benefits of school milk programmes across the globe.
Find out more about our latest World School Milk Day celebrations!School milk is a powerful boost to meeting children’s nutrient needs and contributing to a healthy, balanced diet; a carton of school milk will provide more than half a five year old child’s calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B2 requirements and a third of their protein needs.
Find out more about the functions of the nutrients in school milk:
Maintenance of normal bone
Muscle growth
Muscle maintenance
Normal bone growth and development in children
Normal growth and development of bones
Maintenance of normal bones
Maintenance of normal teeth
Normal blood clotting
Normal energ–yielding metabolism
Normal muscle function
Process of cell division
Normal neurotransmission
Normal growth of children
Normal energy–yeilding metabolism
Maintenance of normal skin
Normal functioning of the nervous system
Normal cognitive function
Normal production and function of thyroid hormones
Normal energy–yeilding metabolism
Maintenance of normal skin
Normal functioning of the nervous system
Maintenance of normal vision
Normal iron metabolism
Maintenance of normal red blood cells
Reduction of tiredness and fatigue
Normal energy–yeilding metabolism
Normal red blood cell formation
Process of cell division
Normal immune function
Normal psychological function
Reduction of tiredness and fatigue
Normal functioning of the nervous system
Maintenance of normal blood pressure
Normal muscle function
Normal growth and development of bone
Maintenance of normal teeth
Normal function of cell membranes
Normal energy–yielding metabolism
Milk is a good breaktime choice for children’s teeth… milk and water are recommended by dentists as the best choices between meals.
School milk is also a good source of fluid to help beat thirst and keep children well hydrated
Having milk available in school can develop the milk drinking habit. Most children will already have access to milk at home, so it is a natural extension to drink milk in school too.
The table below shows the percentage of a primary school child’s nutrient needs* provided by a carton (189ml) of semi–skimmed milk
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B12
Calcium
Phosphorus
Iodine
Protein
59%
100%+
52%
52%
28%
34%
47%
100%+
43%
41%
15%
24%
* Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI)
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Parents who are interested in getting school milk for their child should ask their school for further information.
For information on the Day Care Food Scheme which provides free milk for children under five who are in an approved day care settings, please click here.
For more information on the benefits of school milk download the Milk and More booklet.
This section of our website is specifically for nutrition and health professionals to help keep you up to date with the latest nutrition research, particularly in relation to milk and dairy products. You’ll find summaries and presentations from our conferences and events, together with scientific overviews of dairy and health topics.