EU Commissioners kick off school milk campaign in Cyprus

Pupils at the Panayia Tricherousa elementary school of Limassol will host a visit by EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel and Commissioner for Health Androulla Vassiliou on Friday morning to promote the newly expanded European School Milk Programme and launch an EU-wide school milk promotion campaign and a photo competition for pupils.
At least one in four children is overweight or obese, according to a 2003 study by HarokopioUniversity. This is one of the reasons why the EU has made it a priority to support the development of good eating and nutritional habits that will last a lifetime.
The idea is to encourage children to consume dairy products as part of a balanced diet and the promotion of the revamped School Milk Programme, which provides subsidies to the distribution of milk and other dairy products in schools and other educational establishments, is part of these efforts.
At the Limassol event, pupils will prepare healthy snacks using local dairy products. There will be a lively talk about all of the nutritional benefits these foods provide and the importance of having a balanced diet. Also present will be Agriculture Minister Michalis Polynikis.