WESTERN BUREAU:

There were numerous 'milk moustaches' on the smiling faces of students at the Barracks Road and Bickersteth Primary schools in St James on Thursday, as they took part in Jamaica's second annual celebration of World Milk Day, as organised by the Jamaica Dairy Development Board (JDDB).

The students at both schools partook of milk and cookies as they learned about the health benefits, sources and different components of milk, in presentations from the JDDB and the Western Regional Health Authority.

Huntley Medley, public relations consultant attached to the JDDB, told The Gleaner that the education campaign was a continuation of last year's efforts to promote local milk consumption, in accordance with the World Milk Day celebration.

"World Milk Day is an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and we thought it was important to celebrate the resurgence of milk as a national food in Jamaica," said Medley.

"Last year, our initiative was to visit the antenatal clinics and health centres and present three pints of milk each week to each registered pregnant lady," Medley added. "This year, we decided that the focus would be on children and enhancing their nutrition, so we are introducing them to the benefits of milk."

Acting principal of Bickersteth Primary School Andrea Allen had high praises for the JDDB's education campaign.

"I welcome the initiative because it gave our students the chance to learn more about milk and also to partake in this wonderful venture. We currently have a breakfast programme here at the school, and we have been giving them fruits, but this is a new idea, and I think I will start by giving them a bit more milk in their diet," said Allen.