Arla Foods introduces the UK’s first free milk ATM in collaboration with Fareshare, aiming to combat dairy poverty.
- The innovative installation is located in North London and offers free fresh milk at the push of a button.
- Arla’s initiative supports a broader campaign to provide refrigerated ‘Milk Banks’ to charities nationwide.
- Key figures from Arla and Fareshare underscore the importance of increasing access to nutritious dairy products.
- A recent partnership with Aldi highlights Arla’s ongoing commitment to support UK dairy farmers.
In an ambitious move to address the pressing issue of dairy poverty, Arla Foods has unveiled the United Kingdom’s inaugural free milk ATM as part of a joint endeavour with Fareshare. This groundbreaking initiative, branded ‘The Milk Bank ATM’, is strategically situated in a pop-up location in North London. By merely pressing a button, individuals can receive free fresh milk, illustrating an innovative approach to enhancing food accessibility.
Arla’s pioneering ‘Milk Bank ATM’ marks the beginning of a national pledge to install fully-stocked refrigerated ‘Milk Banks’ at charitable establishments throughout the country. This initiative includes the provision of 100 fridges to various Fareshare-affiliated charities, thereby ensuring a consistent supply of perishable dairy items to those in need. This programme aims to mitigate the logistical challenges associated with the storage of fresh dairy products that many charities encounter.
Senior Vice President of Arla Foods, Jonathan Dixon, stated, “We are on a mission to enhance the accessibility of nutritious dairy products for communities across the UK. Too many charities have to turn away fresh dairy donations because they have nowhere to store it, but by working with FareShare, we hope to overcome that.” His remarks underscore Arla’s commitment to fostering food security and supporting charitable organisations in their efforts to offer diverse and healthy food options.
Ben Ashmore, Fareshare’s Head of External Affairs, has highlighted the rising demand for nutritious dairy products as reported by their affiliated charities. According to Ashmore, many of these organisations struggle to safely store refrigerated items due to infrastructural limitations. He expressed gratitude towards Arla’s initiative, stating, “Thanks to Arla’s generous commitment to donating fridges to charities across the UK, many of these organisations can now offer a more varied range of nutritious food.”
Furthermore, the launch of the milk ATM coincides with a new deal between Arla and Aldi, with the latter investing over £30 million into the support of dairy farmers over the next three and a half years. This collaboration underscores a mutual commitment to bolstering the UK’s agricultural sector and promoting sustainability within the food supply chain.
Arla’s innovative approach with the Milk ATM and its partnership efforts reflect a strategic commitment to enhancing food accessibility and supporting agriculture.
