Media Advisory - Students and MPPs will milk "cows" at Queen's Park to celebrate World School Milk Day

TORONTO , Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Students from Warren Park Public School in Toronto will gather on the front lawn of Queen's Park to milk "cows" on September 29 as a part of World School Milk Day.

Celebrated in more than 40 countries around the world, this initiative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is designed to raise public awareness about the importance of school milk programs and the health benefits they provide to students. In recognition of World School Milk Day, almost one million Ontario elementary students will receive a complimentary carton of milk during the last week of September.

More than 2,800 Ontario elementary schools (70 per cent) participate in the school milk program each year.

    
    Date:   September 29, 2009

    Time:   11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

    Place:  On the front (south) lawn in front of the main entrance to the
            Ontario Legislature

    Who:    70 students from Warren Park Public School in Toronto
            Award winning volunteers for their longtime service to the school
            milk program
            Dairy farmers, processors and milk distributors
            Invited MPPs, include, The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Minister
            of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
            The Honourable Deborah Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth
            Services
            Vic Dhillon, Member for Brampton West
            Others: This is a public event
            Shannon Crocker: registered dietitian and principal spokesperson

    Photo Opp:  The event will start with a "cow" milking at 11 a.m.
    All students will have official clearance to be photographed
    Participants and spokespeople will be available to speak with the media
    following brief comments and presentations.
    

Ontario World School Milk Day is officially recognized September 30 , however celebrations in individual schools may be held on any given day throughout September. Ontario WSMD is made possible only by the co-operation of schools and the entire dairy industry in Ontario, milk processors, milk distributors and dairy farmers.

For further information: or interview requests for Shannon Crocker and other spokespeople, contact Roy Maxwell, at [phone], [phone], [email protected]