The National Dairy Council’s (NDC) Moo Crew Campaign for primary school kids is set to run for a fourth successive year in 2017.
Almost a third of all primary schools took part in the programme in 2016, according to the NDC.
Irish Olypmic athlete Derval O’Rourke, who is a NDC Ambassador, was on hand to launch the campaign recently at the ‘Family Farm’ in Dublin Zoo.
‘Moo Crew, The Primary Dairy Moo-vement’ will be available to primary schools again from early March with a programme which expands into the junior and senior Infant classes – and all the way up to sixth class.
The aim of the initiative is to provide a fun and engaging way for children to learn about the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet and the importance of exercise.
It is hoped that a new module on European cheeses will provide “an interesting insight for children into the varieties of cheese available and the geography of each region”.
Three-time Olympian Derval O’Rourke has been introduced as a new NDC Ambassador this year.
We know from its success in previous years that children really enjoy getting involved with Moo Crew.
“Learning about food as a source of nutrition, and the ways to consume a healthy, balanced diet to support growth and health, is a really important life skill which help kids to make smart choices,” she said.
The Moo Crew Campaign is designed to be linked to the primary curriculum and to be easy to implement in a busy classroom.
Competition
As part of the campaign, children also have the option to create a poster and to take part in the Moo Crew class-based competition.
Junior classes, from junior infants to second class, are asked to design a poster to reflect what they have learned about the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
Meanwhile, senior classes are asked to demonstrate what they have learned through an awareness campaign in their schools and communities.
The top three classes in the junior and senior category will win a VIP farm trip to Airfield Farm in Co. Dublin.