Fonterra is taking a new approach to how it provides nutrition to communities, to better reach those most in need across New Zealand.
CEO Miles Hurrell says, as a New Zealand farmer owned co-op, with employees spread right across regional New Zealand, Fonterra is part of many communities.
“We’ve taken a good look at what the country is facing into, particularly in the context of COVID-19, and asked if our current way of doing things is supporting the people who need it most.
“We can see there’s a need for us to expand our thinking and take a more holistic approach that reaches more people – which is why we’re making these changes,” says Mr Hurrell.
“As part of its new approach, Fonterra will grow KickStart Breakfast alongside partners Sanitarium and the Ministry of Social Development.
“There are already more than 1,000 schools in KickStart Breakfast, and one of our immediate goals is to work with our partners to have all decile 1 to 5 schools across the country in KickStart Breakfast – reaching another 200 schools – where coming together over breakfast at the start of the school day really makes a difference.”
Fonterra will also extend the supply of dairy nutrition further into communities by partnering with NZ Food Network to distribute dairy products to charities, foodbanks and community partners.
“We believe it’s not just in schools where we can play a role. We saw this first-hand during lockdown earlier this year, when we redirected close to one million serves of Fonterra Milk for Schools product into communities through food banks, charities and other partners. Coming together with NZ Food Network allows us to keep doing this.”
NZ Food Network CEO Gavin Findlay says “NZFN is delighted to partner with Fonterra to deliver much needed goodness into the communities of Aotearoa New Zealand. This complements our own desire of ‘getting food to where it’s needed most’. Working together, we will strive to ensure everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food.”
This refreshed approach means Fonterra Milk for Schools, which is for primary school aged children, will wrap-up at the end of this year. “It’s something we’ve loved being a part of, but we know we can provide more kids access to dairy nutrition by growing KickStart Breakfast – which is open to all schools, of all ages and deciles, across the country.”
“We’ve got a lot of affection for Fonterra Milk for Schools, but we have to recognise through this refresh there’s a much more efficient, environmentally focused and impactful way to get milk to more kids each day.
“It will be an end of an era and we’re proud of what Fonterra Milk for Schools has achieved – but times have changed and so will we, to ensure we’re always doing our best for those who need it the most,” says Hurrell.
Papatoetoe North School principal Stan Tiatia says “our school community makes high use of the KickStart Breakfast programme and for us it is a time for whanau, staff and children to connect and start the day in a positive state. The programme helps to build community and in times affected by anxiety and isolation the KickStart breakfast time provides an opportunity for connection and care. We are grateful for the work by the KickStart team and know that our community is strengthened by their efforts.”
Fonterra will now talk with schools in Fonterra Milk for Schools, who aren’t also already members of KickStart Breakfast, to see if joining KickStart Breakfast is right for them for the 2021 school year.
“These changes reflect our co-operative heart – good things happen when people come together,” says Hurrell.
