World School Milk Day

World School Milk Day celebrates school milk programs and their role in children’s nutrition and education. Held on the last Wednesday of September, the observance highlights the benefits and success of providing milk at school, as well as the importance of helping students understand where milk comes from and how it fits into a balanced diet. The International Dairy Federation describes activities such as school visits, games, milk-product distribution, and nutrition seminars.

The first World School Milk Day took place in September 2000. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the observance, choosing a school day near the end of September. School milk programs themselves have a longer history in some countries. In the United Kingdom, for example, the Provision of Meals Act 1906 recognized school food—including milk—as a way to help prevent poor nutrition among children. Foulgers Dairy provides additional background on that history.

Schools and milk providers are free to mark the day in their own way. Activities may include lessons about milk and dairy foods, visits or demonstrations connected to dairy farming, milk-themed artwork, competitions, and educational games. The day can be observed by a whole school, a classroom, or a smaller group, making it an opportunity to connect school meals with nutrition education.

How to Observe World School Milk Day

Celebrate by finding out whether your school has a milk or breakfast program, then learn more about the role of milk in school meals. Teachers and students can create milk-themed posters, research the word “milk” in different languages, design a new milk carton, or organize a milk-themed song or classroom display. For an active game, try milk-carton bowling with thoroughly rinsed, weighted cartons. More classroom activity ideas are available from Milk.org.

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