North London has unveiled the UK’s inaugural free milk ATM, pioneering a move to address the significant challenge of daily dairy access faced by numerous British food charities. The introduction of this unique initiative marks the beginning of a nationwide campaign to enhance the availability of fresh dairy products within food charities across the country. Shocking statistics reveal that an estimated 450,000 individuals who rely on food banks and similar charitable organisations lack access to fresh dairy products. A study commissioned by a dairy brand discovered that half of adults consider daily access to milk indispensable, with a vast majority consuming milk several times a week. Furthermore, a significant percentage acknowledged the difficulties they would face without access to milk, underscoring the universal belief that dairy-based foods should be easily obtainable.
Despite the high demand for fresh dairy products at food charities, a report by FareShare indicated that approximately 19% of the charities they support struggle to provide fresh dairy due to inadequate storage facilities, leading to rejected donations. In response to this pressing issue, a pioneering milk dispensing machine has been launched by Arla, offering consumers free, fresh milk at their convenience. This initiative signifies Arla’s ongoing commitment to improving people’s access to dairy products daily. In partnership with FareShare, a leading dairy brand is set to significantly enhance fresh dairy accessibility by equipping charities across the UK with fully sponsored refrigerators stocked with dairy goods.
Jonathan Dixon, Arla’s senior vice president, expressed the brand’s dedication to making nutritious dairy products more accessible to communities throughout the UK. The initiative aims to address the common challenge faced by charities unable to accept fresh dairy donations due to storage limitations. Recent studies highlighted the lack of refrigeration facilities in many food banks, hindering their ability to stock fresh dairy items. FareShare’s head of external affairs, Ben Ashmore, emphasised the increasing demand for nutritious dairy products within charities and lauded Arla’s initiative to provide crucial infrastructure support.
Nutrition specialist Nichola Ludlam-Raine endorsed the initiative, emphasising the nutritional benefits of dairy products, particularly milk, in meeting daily dietary requirements. The unveiling of the Milk Bank ATM represents the initial phase of Arla’s commitment to establishing fully sponsored and stocked ‘Milk Banks’ at FareShare charities nationwide. With such initiatives, the UK aims to ensure that individuals in need have consistent access to essential dairy products for a balanced diet.