Newcastle City Council to receive organic milk

Three years ago Jamie Sadler, director of East End Health, campaigned to supply 50 children in one school (Wharrier Street Primary) in the East End of Newcastle-upon-Tyne with organic milk. The organic Acorn Dairy, which is based in County Durham, has just won a two-year contract to supply all nursery and primary school milk schemes. With support from the Northern Rock Foundation and the Soil Association, Jamie Sadler, has been campaigning for better food and drink in schools for the past four years: "This is a fantastic development and I hope this is the beginning of more good quality, locally sourced food being eaten in our North East schools and communities. "There is growing evidence that organic milk has more Omega 3, antioxidants and vitamins than conventional milk. As well as the additional health benefits, this scheme will support local food heroes such as Acorn Dairy and educate children and parents about the importance of eating local, sustainable and healthy food." Acorn Dairy and Jamie Sadler put the tender together ensuring that educational activities are incorporated into the scheme. In practice this means that as part of the contract of supplying organic milk to the schools, Acorn Dairy and East End Health will visit every single nursery and school and talk about the benefits of organic milk through educational assemblies, which the local community will also be invited to. Emma Noble, director of the Food for Life Partnership at the Soil Association said: "Fresh organic milk for children across the city of Newcastle is great for the children and great for the environment. Newcastle leads by example - this is exactly what local authorities should be doing across the country."