National Dairy Council ambassadors and professional rugby icons Rob and Dave Kearney joined the NDC to announce details of National Dairy Week, which runs from May 12-18. The national celebration of the natural goodness of Irish dairy is organised in association with Supervalu.
National Dairy Week aims to showcase the excellence of our pasture-based dairy farming and produce – from farm to fridge; and also highlights the quality, versatility and nutritious benefits of dairy within our lives, as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
The week features a number of events including a specialist symposium for dietitians organised by the NDC with the Irish Nutrition and Dietitic Institute, the NDC 50th Anniversary Annual Conference and a strong focus on dairy education. The national finals of the NDC Milk It Advertising Awards for secondary schools takes place during the week while participating primary school classrooms will be activating their projects for Moo Crew – The Primary Dairy Moovement.
Findings from national surveys showed that 37% of girls and 28% of boys aged from five – 12 years (Ref 1); and 42% teenage girls and 23% teenage boys aged from 13-17 years (Ref 2) in Ireland had insufficient calcium intakes in their diet. “Including dairy as part of a balanced diet is an important message for both young and old, which is why dairy education is a key part of our strategy,” explains Zoe Kavanagh, Chief Executive of The National Dairy Council.
This year’s events include workshops for primary schools organised by Agri Aware at the Family Farm in Dublin Zoo, a Macra na Feirme ‘DairyFest’ in Dublin city centre and a Teagasc Farm Walk, on the dairy farm of the 2013 winners of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.