The following statement was issued today by Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

The School Milk Program

I would like to inform the Honourable members of the House of Assembly of the progress made by the School Milk Program to encourage the consumption of milk by children in schools all across the province. I'm sure that many of the members are aware of this program and can appreciate the value placed on it by educators and parents alike.

Prior to the establishment of this program in 1991, only 90,000 litres of milk were consumed in schools in this province. In 1996, school milk consumption was over one million litres - a 1,100 per cent increase!

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the accomplishments of the School Milk Program for the benefit of the children of this province. For the 1996/97 school year, there are 399 schools enrolled in this program. There are approximately 102,970 students registered in the School Milk Program which represents 96 per cent of all the students in the province. The rate of school milk consumption by individual students is up again this fall. Therefore, despite declining enrollments, milk consumption continues to rise.

The Newfoundland and Labrador School Milk Foundation was happy to announce that the 1996/97 price of school milk would remain unchanged from last year with 200 ml of two per cent white and chocolate milk retailing for 35 cents and 500 ml of two per cent white and chocolate milk retailing for 70 cents. This price represents a savings of approximately 60 per cent from normal retail prices.

Making milk available at this affordable price is only possible through the continued support of the dairy farmers, milk processors and this government. In 1995/96, the 57 farmers in the province contributed approximately $500,000 to the program in cash and reduced prices. The two milk processors, Central Dairies and Brookfield Dairy Group contributed approximately $500,000 through subsidized milk, for a total contribution from the industry of one million dollars.

I ask my Honourable colleagues to join me in commending all the dairy farmers and Central Dairies and Brookfield Dairy Group for their tremendous support and contribution to the school children of the province. As well, I wish to congratulate the Newfoundland and Labrador School Milk Foundation, its volunteer directors and employees, on their contribution and tremendous effort they put into the program.

In 1995/96, this government contributed $200,000 towards the School Milk Program, and I am very glad to announce that this same level of commitment continues in the 1996/97 school year. This government is very pleased to make a contribution of this significance to the School Milk Program.

This contribution was recently complemented by another initiative announced by my colleagues representing the Departments of Social Services, Education and Health. Last week, on National Child Day, this government announced a contribution of $125,000 to help establish a child food program in the schools. This program is coordinated with the School Children's Food Foundation, much like the school milk program. I would like to emphasize the extent of government commitment to assist and foster these initiatives to address nutrition for our school aged children by making it possible for each and every child to access at least one nutritious meal and affordable milk, each and every school day.

The benefits of this program to our school-aged children in terms of health and nutrition and, as recent research confirms, the children's academic performance, are countless. I am pleased that this government is able to contribute to the program in a meaningful way.