During the first school term, milk was offered free for a total of ten days. 85 to 110 pupils per day took the milk on offer. When the milk was not free, an average of 25 pupils per day paid for milk. This term has seen 3 'free milk' days and the finale of the project and the last free milk day will be 'World School Milk Day'
on the 26th of September

The total number of days that milk will be provided to the pupils free is 14, at a cost of £600. This includes, cups, straws, posters, additional staff and of course milk.

A survey was carried out as to the pupils views on milk.

50 pupils took part in the survey, 47 of the pupils had taken part in the milk promotion. The pupils where asked a range of questions on what they drank at school and their views on milk and its provision.

Summary of pupil survey results:

Sustainability As with any project sustainability is a major issue. The fact that milk was promoted by the partners and offered free to start with has given an outcome of 25 regular milk customers. It is in the interest of the caterers to regularly promote milk, as opposed to sugary fizzy drinks, which compounds the already high dental caries rate in the Highlands.

Milk if promoted in the correct manner to young people can prove to be a valuable contribution to a healthy diet.

And what did the partners think?

Diana Mackay, Cook in Charge at Alness Academy

Before this promotion, milk sales in Alness Academy were very disappointing. I would sell one glass of milk only in a good week.
During the promotion, the milk was free and, as expected, the amount of milk used was high. When returning to ordinary sales, pupils taking milk averaged 25 per day, which is a very good result given our past record.

Sine Mackinnon, Head of Client Services at Highland Council

As a pilot scheme I consider this to have been a resounding success and hope that it can be used as a springboard for similar promotions during the next session.

Dennis Grey, Head of School Milk Development Team, 'First Milk'.

The Alness pilot proved that teenagers would choose milk and that they actually enjoy it, a fact that we must prove time and time again. We trust future developments in the provision of school milk in Highland will take heed of the lessons learned in Alness and ensure that a comprehensive approach is employed. Presentation, packaging and refrigeration must be central to successful implementation of a region-wide scheme.

Lorna Young, Chair National Osteoporosis Society (Highland Branch)

The national Osteoporosis Society is very supportive of the re-introduction of milk in all schools and has for sometime been very active in promoting its benefits.

In conclusion this projects success came from the involvement of all the partners having a common agenda. Milk in Schools is something that can be achieved with effort and commitment.
Outcomes from the pilot have shown that children can change their habits to drink milk if it is provided in a 'Cool' way.