Arla has announced a nationwide initiative to ensure fresh dairy provision in food charities across the country.
As part of its ongoing partnership with FareShare, the company will provide fully-stocked-and-sponsored fridges to charities across the country, starting with the roll out of 100 fridges to FareShare charities.
Arla has also launched the world’s first free milk ATM machine in London. The innovative milk dispensing machine in North London allows people to receive fresh milk at the push of a button and aims to highlight the importance of giving people access to daily dairy.
The move comes after insights revealed an estimated 450,000 people who rely on food charities do not have access to fresh dairy, with charities forced to decline donations due to a lack of fridges.
According to FareShare, fresh dairy products are among the most requested items by users of food charities. In a recent survey of its charity partners, almost all (96%) said they weren’t able to store enough to meet the needs of users, while all the charities stated that not having enough fridge space prevents them from offering the most nutritious products to their users.
“We are on a mission to enhance the accessibility of nutritious dairy products for communities across the UK,” Jonathan Dixon, senior vice president at Arla. said.
“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.”
Ben Ashmore, head of marketing at FareShare, said: “Our charities report that demand for dairy products is increasing, but many don’t have the infrastructure in place to be able to offer refrigerated products and instead there is a focus on stocking dry and canned food.
“This commitment to offer fridges to charities up and down the UK will mark a significant change for many and we’re very grateful to the Arla team for their continued support.”
