Arla Foods has unveiled the UK’s first free milk ATM in London, in collaboration with Fareshare, to address dairy poverty.
- The innovative ‘Milk Bank ATM’ offers fresh milk dispensations at the push of a button in North London.
- This initiative marks the beginning of Arla’s commitment to providing refrigerated ‘Milk Banks’ to charities nationwide.
- Arla aims to enhance dairy accessibility for communities through partnerships with organizations like Fareshare.
- The initiative aligns with Arla’s recent collaboration with Aldi to further support dairy farmers.
Arla Foods, in a groundbreaking move, launched the UK’s first free milk ATM at a pop-up event in North London. This initiative, known as ‘The Milk Bank ATM,’ is executed in collaboration with Fareshare, a prominent charity organization. By pushing a button, passers-by can dispense fresh milk, marking a significant step in addressing dairy poverty and enhancing access to nutritious dairy products across the UK.
The pop-up installation is not just a temporary feature; it signifies Arla’s broader pledge to install fully-sponsored and stocked refrigerated ‘Milk Banks’ throughout the country. This initiative targets numerous FareShare charities, with an ambitious plan to provide 100 fridges, ensuring that fresh dairy can be stored and accessed safely by those in need.
Highlighting the partnership’s significance, Arla’s Senior Vice President Jonathan Dixon expressed that the mission is to improve the accessibility of dairy products in various communities. He pointed out a common challenge faced by charities: the lack of storage facilities for fresh dairies, which often forces them to decline such donations. This collaboration with FareShare is a strategic solution to overcome these logistical hurdles.
Ben Ashmore, Fareshare’s head of external affairs, reiterated the rising demand for nutritious dairy products among charities. While the demand is increasing, many organizations struggle due to inadequate refrigeration infrastructure. Thanks to Arla’s commitment to donate fridges, these organizations now have the opportunity to offer a more varied range of nutritious food options.
This innovative approach by Arla comes shortly after sealing a partnership with Aldi, aimed at further bolstering support for dairy farmers. Aldi has committed to investing over £30 million in its dairy farmers over the next three and a half years, reinforcing the long-term sustainability of dairy supply chains.
Arla’s free milk ATM and strategic partnerships signify a pivotal advancement in addressing dairy accessibility and poverty across the UK.
