After two decades of implementation, the School Program continues to stand as one of the most important public policies in the fields of food and education.

Launched in 2002 and now supported through a European partnership, the program provides schoolchildren and preschoolers with daily portions of milk, dairy products, fruit, and bakery items — contributing both to balanced nutrition and to consistent school attendance.

According to a study conducted by AHA Moments for the Romanian Dairy Industry Employers’ Association (APRIL), 86% of Romanians believe that the program should continue, while 83% recognize the health benefits of daily milk consumption for children. At the same time, 82% of respondents say the program offers real support to vulnerable families, and 73% associate it with the development of healthy eating habits.

During the 2023–2024 school year, over 900,000 children benefited from approximately 8 million liters of milk supplied by Romanian processors. However, Eurostat data show that Romania still faces the highest school dropout rate in the European Union and a high proportion of children at risk of poverty — 41.5%. In this context, the School Program holds strategic value, addressing a significant social and nutritional gap.

Participants in the study suggest expanding and improving the scheme: increasing the milk portion, extending it to cover school holidays, introducing more attractive packaging for children, and strengthening the educational component on nutrition and the environment. APRIL emphasizes that the success of the program lies in the collaboration between authorities, local communities, and the dairy industry, which ensures the daily supply of quality Romanian products for students nationwide.

Through continuity and adaptation, the School Program remains an example of effective public policy with a dual impact: it supports children’s health while strengthening a strategic branch of the national food industry.

(Photo: Freepik)