Kellie Harrington launched Back to School healthy eating campaigns recently. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Hero Kellie launches School Milk programme

Healthy eating is crucial for our kids and last week Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue launched Back to School healthy eating campaigns.

Kellie is the ambassador for School Milk and the popular Food Dudes programme. Her former primary school, St Vincent’s Girls School in Dublin, was the launch venue for both campaigns.

Minister McConalogue said: “I am delighted to launch both programmes, each of which play a key role in meeting school children’s dietary requirements in a school setting, and also encourage children to make healthier eating choices outside of school. I would urge all primary schools that are offered the opportunity to sign up to these programmes.”

He added: “Kellie is a positive and inspirational role model for school children. As a School Milk and Food Dudes ambassador, she has empowered many school children to make healthier eating choices by drinking milk and eating more fruit and vegetables.”

In a recent educational video Kellie said: “A lot of my achievements are down to hard work, eating the right food and getting plenty of rest.”

The School Milk Scheme has long been recognised as one of the most convenient and affordable ways to help children meet their calcium and nutrient needs for healthy growth and development.

Due to popular demand, the deadline for applications to a free milk promotion has been extended to the 15 October.

Schools that register for the scheme in the 2021/2022 school year will receive two weeks free milk for every child in the school and two free fridges to ensure the milk is served fresh and chilled, as well as access to exclusive education resources and competitions. If you would like your child’s school to avail of school milk email The National Dairy Council at schoolmilk@ndc.ie or visit moocrew.ie to register your interest before 15 October.

The Food Dudes Programme is an award-winning curriculum-linked evidence based healthy eating programme developed to encourage children to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Now entering its 17th school year, over 1.2 million school children have participated in the programme to date.