+Milk

+MILK

+MILK

Connecting Students to Dairy

Nutritious foods are the foundation for healthy eating. Vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and protein foods should be consumed regularly. Lower fat milk and fortified soy beverages are nutritious protein foods that can be consumed regularly.

Schools enrolled in the BC School Fruit & Vegetable Nutritional Program (BCSFVNP) can opt to also participate in +Milk and receive fresh, local milk for their students, thanks to a partnership between the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care and the BC Dairy Association. An amazing 755 schools are participating in the program in the 2023/2024 school year. Teachers can use “A Cow’s Tale,” a series of information and activity sheets that introduces students to the world of dairy farming.

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For additional resources about milk, visit the BC Dairy Association.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the BC Dairy Association

Sign Us Up!

+Milk is available to all schools currently enrolled in the BC School Fruit & Vegetable Nutritional Program (BCSFVNP).

To add +Milk to your BCSFVNP for the next school year, simply use the Annual Renewal Form available on your BCSFVNP school login. To sign up for +Milk part-way through the school year, we ask for the principal to email BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, requesting enrollment.

Once you are enrolled in +Milk, there's no need to re-apply each year. We just need you to complete the online Annual Renewal Form and submit it to us by mid-June for the next school year.

What Do You Need to Get Started?

  • First, make sure your school is enrolled in the BCSFVNP. If not, find out how to apply here, or email us at BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.
  • Currently, +Milk is available to students in grades K to 12. 
  • The school agrees that students will receive their serving of milk in a classroom setting and it will not replace recess or lunch foods.
  • The school principal must indicate support of participation when completing the online application and provide his/her contact information.
  • The school designates one +Milk Coordinator.
  • In order for us to ensure that the program is running smoothly, and to track any issues and successes, we ask schools to fill out online log sheets, provided on the school login page, then submit them on a monthly basis to the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC) program office.
  • The school understands it is their responsibility to provide adequate refrigeration for milk; dairy products should be stored at 0°- 4°C (32°- 40°F).
  • The +Milk Coordinator must manage any allergy alerts.
  • The +Milk Coordinator works directly with the BCAITC team and the school’s designated BCSFVNP In-School Coordinator.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the BC Dairy Association

A Crop of Resources!

To support teachers using classroom milk time as a teaching opportunity about healthy eating, BC agriculture, and farm-food connections, we’ve created a resource especially for +Milk: “A Cow's Tale.”

“A Cow’s Tale” is a series of information and activity sheets designed to introduce primary students to the wonderful world of milk and dairy farming. It follows the life of a calf named Please on a fictional, family-run BC dairy farm called Cowsville Farm. In each chapter, Please leads students to discoveries about where Canadian milk comes from, dairy cows, how cows produce milk, how farmers milk cows, other foods we make from milk, and the many activities and jobs on a dairy farm. Each chapter finishes with a classroom experiment, an engaging learning game, or a “Drink Up and Reuse It” seasonal craft using the empty +Milk plastic serving cups.

Available in PDF format, “A Cow's Tale” can be downloaded and printed or displayed on a classroom digital projector or SMART Board.

A Cow's Tale Chapter 1 

A Cow's Tale Chapter 2

A Cow's Tale Chapter 3 

A Cow's Tale Chapter 4

A Cow's Tale Chapter 5

A Cow's Tale Chapter 6 

A Cow's Tale Chapter 7

A Cow's Tale Chapter 8

A Cow's Tale Chapter 9

A Cow's Tale Chapter 10

A Cow's Tale Chapter 11

A Cow's Tale Chapter 12

A Cow's Tale Chapter 13

A Cow's Tale Complete Set Chapters 1 to 13

A Dairy Glossary

Fresh Stories are also excellent dairy resources for students; available in primary and intermediate levels, they feature fun learning activities with curriculum connections to many school subjects. For Secondary levels, Spotlight Series on Dairy provides videos and learning activities.

For additional resources about milk, visit the BC Dairy Association.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the BC Dairy Association

Partners Make It Possible — Thank You!

+Milk would not be the success it is today without the continued support of our partners in the agricultural and dairy industries. With their efforts and teamwork, we are reaching over 155,000 BC students who are enjoying the fresh taste of milk along with fresh, grown-in-BC fruits and vegetables. Together, we will keep spreading the word to teachers and students about BC's agriculture and the benefits of healthy eating. Special thanks goes out to our BC dairy farmers for everything they do to bring fresh milk to our classrooms and homes.

For additional resources about milk, visit the BC Dairy Association.

Government:

BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food

BC Ministry of Education and Child Care

BC Ministry of Health

Distribution:

BC Dairy Association

Bandstra Transportation Systems Ltd.

Bayview Market Haida Gwaii

Cayuse Flats GP Ltd.

Circle Dairy

Corilair Charters

Daystar Market Galiano Island

DSKD Transport

DW Winland

FoodMesh

Fresh Mart Tumbler Ridge

H&G Contracting

Hi-Way 9 Express Ltd.

Horizon Distributors

I.D. Works Delivery Services Ltd.

Inland Air

Lady Rose Marine Services

Lillooet Country Store

Mach 1 Express Ltd.

Mayne Island Courier

Nootka Sound Service Ltd.

North Island Delivery Services

Novex Delivery Solutions

Ootsa Air

Pacific Coastal Air

Pemberton Valley Supermarket

Pender Harbour/Madeira Park Marketplace IGA

Pender Island Driftwood Centre

PJY’s Services Ltd.

Red Spade Enterprises

Saputo Dairy Products Canada

Saturna General Store

Save-on-Foods

Shearwater Marina

Shop Easy Hagensborg Mercantile

Shop Easy Tumbler Ridge

Sprinter Delivery

Tofino Co-op

Tru Value Foods

Vi & Cor’s Food Basket

Watson Lake Foods - Super A

Product Suppliers:

Danone

Saputo Dairy Products Canada

 

Join Us!

To find out how you or your business can support this exciting program, contact BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation or check out our Partnership Opportunities

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the BC Dairy Association

Teachers and Parents Ask the Best Questions

1. How is +Milk being delivered to the school?

It will be delivered on the same day, in the same refrigerated truck as the fruits and vegetables on the BCSFVNP.

2. How is the fortified soy beverage delivered?

Since fortified soy beverage has an extended shelf life it will be delivered twice per school year; once in September and once in January. It does not require refrigeration for storage purposes, so does not need to be delivered with your +Milk delivery.

3. How big is the single-serve portion per student?

The milk comes in 120 mL foil top cups. One portion is provided per student. The fortified soy beverage serving size is 120 mL.

4. How big are the +Milk trays?

Each milk crate has 4 trays with 16, 120mL cups/tray. In total, each crate holds 64, 120 mL cups of milk. Each crate weighs approximately 10.28 kg.

The fortified soy beverage has 24 units per case. Each case weighs 6 kg, and the case dimensions are L40cm x W15cm x H12.5cm.

5. Are the containers recyclable?

The milk containers are #5 plastic, which is recyclable.

The fortified soy beverage containers are recyclable at most bottle recycling locations.

Or return them to Return-It collection sites for the 10-cent deposit refund.

6. How do I return the +Milk crates?

The school receiver and/or BCSFVNP In-School Coordinator will remove the milk from the crates and ensure it is put directly into the refrigerator. The driver is required to take away the crates when he/she returns on the next delivery.

7. What if I have a split class i.e. grades 5/6? Do the grade 6 students participate in +Milk too?

Yes, both grades in a split grade 5/6 class should receive milk. Please include these students in your population numbers that you provide to us in the online form.

8. What if there is a problem with our +Milk delivery?

If there is an issue with the condition and/or quality of your milk, please record the issue and upload any pictures on the School Login, via the “Complete Log” link next to the product in the delivery list. Specifically, we need pictures of:

  • the actual milk containers
  • the outside of the boxes in which the milk arrived
  • any expiry dates or best before dates on the boxes or the packaging inside the boxes

Call the BCSFVNP office toll-free number as soon as possible after you've uploaded the pictures and steps will be taken to correct the problem. 1.866.517.6225.

If the milk is frozen, it is still good to drink. Just thaw it in the fridge. If it separates upon thawing, have the students shake the containers a few times before consuming. For more information go to http://bcdairy.ca/milk/articles/keeping-milk-fresh.

9. What do we do with expired milk?

Discard any expired milk and recycle the containers. Or return them to a Return-It collection site for a 10-cent refund. 

10. Do I need FOODSAFE certification for the school to participate in +Milk?

Yes. To be enrolled in the +Milk program, you need to be enrolled in the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program, which requires FOODSAFE Level 1 certification.

11. What are the safety requirements for storing and handling milk?
  • keep milk cold
  • put milk in the refrigerator immediately after delivery
  • store milk in the fridge at 4˚ C (40˚ F) or lower
  • check the temperature of your refrigerator to make sure it maintains a temperature below 4˚ C
  • check the best before date and consume milk before that date
12. Will our school receive a delivery on a non-instructional day?

Days where your school does not have a representative to sign for a delivery and therefore cannot accept product, should be registered as a “no-deliver” day on the School Login. These days may include Pro-D days, holidays, spring break, etc. Once submitted, these changes will move seamlessly into our database. Please remember — we require a minimum of 3 weeks’ notice in order to reinstate or cancel a delivery.

If you know of someone at your school who will be available to accept the delivery on a day when students are not in session, we do not need to be advised of that date and cancellation is not necessary.

13. If your fruit and vegetable delivery is cancelled due to a product allergy in the school, will our +Milk delivery be cancelled as well?

No, your +Milk delivery will still arrive at your school on your scheduled delivery date. It’s only the cancelled fruit or vegetable that won’t be delivered on that date.

14. Where can we get more information on BC milk?

Please visit www.bcdairy.ca or call the BC Dairy Association at 1.800.242.6455.

755
K-5 schools
487
Farmers
146,255
Servings
12
Times a Year
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We’re here to help!

Have questions about our programs?

Contact us at: info@aitc.ca or call 1(866) 517-6225

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