Arla Partners with Welsh Charities to Improve Access to Fresh Dairy for Those in Need
Source: DairyNews.today
Dairy cooperative Arla is stepping up to support charities across Wales by providing fully-stocked and sponsored fridges to local organizations, ensuring that people in need have better access to fresh dairy products.
Charities such as Sirhowy Community Centre, Canolfan y Bont Food Bank, and Cwtch Angels Abergavenny are among the beneficiaries of this initiative, which aims to increase dairy intake for communities across Wales.
This initiative addresses a critical need identified by the charity FareShare, which revealed that approximately 450,000 people relying on its services lack access to fresh dairy, often due to limited refrigeration. A recent survey of FareShare’s charity partners showed that 96% of respondents face high demand for fresh dairy but are unable to store enough on-site to meet users’ needs. The absence of adequate refrigeration often prevents charities from offering nutritious options like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a specialist dietitian, emphasized the importance of initiatives like Arla’s. "As a registered dietitian, I strongly support efforts that provide increased access to dairy products. A 200ml glass of milk offers protein, calcium, and iodine, which are essential for daily health. Access to fresh milk can also foster healthier eating habits, such as encouraging people to make time for a nutritious breakfast,” she explained.
Arla’s longstanding partnership with FareShare spans over eight years, during which the dairy cooperative has helped divert the equivalent of more than 10 million meals to those in need across the UK. This commitment aligns with Arla’s mission to promote good nutrition and food accessibility, with a particular focus on ensuring that fresh dairy is available to those who rely on food banks and community support programs.
The initiative also shines a light on the broader issue of dairy accessibility in the UK. Arla’s research revealed that half of Brits couldn’t imagine a day without milk, with 76% consuming it regularly. However, 62% were unaware that many food banks lack fridges, limiting their ability to store fresh dairy. By providing fridges to charities, Arla is bridging this gap and helping ensure that nutritious dairy products are available to more people.
This initiative addresses a critical need identified by the charity FareShare, which revealed that approximately 450,000 people relying on its services lack access to fresh dairy, often due to limited refrigeration. A recent survey of FareShare’s charity partners showed that 96% of respondents face high demand for fresh dairy but are unable to store enough on-site to meet users’ needs. The absence of adequate refrigeration often prevents charities from offering nutritious options like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a specialist dietitian, emphasized the importance of initiatives like Arla’s. "As a registered dietitian, I strongly support efforts that provide increased access to dairy products. A 200ml glass of milk offers protein, calcium, and iodine, which are essential for daily health. Access to fresh milk can also foster healthier eating habits, such as encouraging people to make time for a nutritious breakfast,” she explained.
Arla’s longstanding partnership with FareShare spans over eight years, during which the dairy cooperative has helped divert the equivalent of more than 10 million meals to those in need across the UK. This commitment aligns with Arla’s mission to promote good nutrition and food accessibility, with a particular focus on ensuring that fresh dairy is available to those who rely on food banks and community support programs.
The initiative also shines a light on the broader issue of dairy accessibility in the UK. Arla’s research revealed that half of Brits couldn’t imagine a day without milk, with 76% consuming it regularly. However, 62% were unaware that many food banks lack fridges, limiting their ability to store fresh dairy. By providing fridges to charities, Arla is bridging this gap and helping ensure that nutritious dairy products are available to more people.
