A free milk ATM has been set up as a part of a national roll-out initiative to address the lack of fresh dairy access for around 450,000 people who rely on food banks in the UK. This innovative milk dispensing machine aims to raise awareness about the importance of providing daily dairy products to those in need. According to FareShare, fresh dairy is one of the most requested items at food charities, but approximately 19% of the charities it supports cannot offer it due to a lack of storage facilities, with many having to decline donations.
The launch of the free milk ATM by Arla is a significant step towards enhancing people’s accessibility to fresh dairy products. As part of this effort, Arla will partner with FareShare to donate fully-stocked fridges to charities across the country. By collaborating with FareShare, Arla intends to ensure that nutritious dairy products reach communities in need. Jonathan Dixon, Senior Vice President at Arla, expressed the cooperative’s commitment to improving dairy access, while Ben Ashmore, Head of External Affairs at FareShare, highlighted the increasing demand for nutritious dairy products in charities.
Research commissioned by the dairy brand found that half of adults could not imagine not having access to milk daily, with a large percentage consuming it regularly. The study also revealed a lack of awareness about the storage challenges for fresh dairy products in food banks. A Specialist Dietitian, Nichola Ludlam-Raine, emphasised the nutritional benefits of dairy consumption, supporting initiatives like the free milk ATM that enhance access to dairy products.
The introduction of the free milk ATM is a significant step towards addressing the gap in fresh dairy provision for those accessing food charities. As more initiatives like this emerge, it is hoped that the accessibility of essential dairy products will continue to improve for communities across the UK.