PA Farm News - Central High School Students Now Have 3-A-DayT of Dairy All Day in New Vending Machine

Central High School Students Now Have 3-A-DayT of Dairy All Day in New Vending Machine

PHILADELPHIA -- Students at Central High School in Martinsburg now can get milk throughout the day from a new 3-A-Day™ of Dairy vending machine located just outside the school cafeteria. The school recently received a $2,000 grant from Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program to purchase and install the vending machine, which is stocked with 16-ounce plastic bottles of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla lowfat milk provided by Ritchey’s Dairy.

“Dairy vending is a great way to support our local dairy farmers by encouraging milk consumption,” said Tom Ritchey, adviser for the FFA chapter that manages the machine. Ritchey and the FFA worked with Betsy Snyder, the district’s foodservice director, to bring milk vending to Spring Cove School District. Proceeds from milk sales will be used to sponsor FFA activities such as conferences and leadership development.

“Because the machine is available around-the-clock, we’re able to provide healthy beverages beyond lunchtime,” Ritchey said. “It’s convenient for students who don’t have time to eat breakfast or teachers who want a nutritious snack when they work late. We’re also seeing spectators using the machine during sporting events because it’s just down the hall from the gymnasium.”

Vibrant graphics asking students if they’ve had their three servings of dairy each day adorn the vending machine, which was purchased with a grant from Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, the regional affiliate of the National Dairy Council.

“We were pleased to work with Central High School to place the new vending machine,” said Janette C. Carpentier, M.A., FMP, vice president of school marketing for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “Teenagers, in particular, need their calcium. Nine out of 10 teen girls and seven out of 10 teen boys do not meet their daily calcium requirements. The 3-A-Day of Dairy vending machine will help remind students to get three servings of dairy each day and will provide options to get the calcium they need.”

Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, affiliates of the National Dairy Council®, provide nutrition education programs and services to schools in the Mid-Atlantic region. For more information about how schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, northern Virginia and New Jersey can receive a grant from Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association, call 215-627-8800 or visit www.dairyspot.com.

Courtesy Photo: On behalf of Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, Betty Brdar (far right) presents a $2,000 grant to FFA members at Central High School in Martinsburg. The money was used to purchase and install a 3-A-Day of Dairy vending machine which sells 16-ounce bottles of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla milk around the clock.

POSTED 080223_0900 ET