In a decision that is both healthy and environmentally friendly, Nayland College is proud to have Oaklands milk on board as our new milk supplier.

Year 11 student Taea Staples, has worked with Hospitality Tutor Matt Robson, via the Nayland Food Collective, to secure Oaklands milk which is now delivered to the school in reusable glass bottles. Nayland will use the milk in both the Maanaki and Kuaka cafes, within the hospitality department, the Breakfast Club and for staff to use for their own milk needs.

Taea has been involved in the promotional and educational side of the initiative, talking to staff during a morning briefing and preparing a presentation to give to students during assembly. As a member of the school NEST group (Nayland Environmental and Sustainability Team) she has been passionate about finding ways to make Nayland’s practices more sustainable. She is very positive about the benefits this change will bring about.

“Oaklands milk is an A2 milk which means that has a lot of health benefits to it in contrast to A1 milk,” Taea said. Different types of cows give different types of milk, with A2 milk coming from breeds that produce less milk, but higher quality. According to Taea these benefits include: 12 percent more protein, 33 percent more vitamin D, 25 percent more vitamin A and 15 percent more calcium.

There are also clear environmental benefits, as it will decrease the school’s use of plastic. “It is better for the environment, through the use of the glass bottles that they use and their re-use/return policy,” Taea said. “So overall, they are just trying to make it environmentally friendly and eco-friendly.”

There are financial benefits as well with the milk being somewhat cheaper than the schools existing supplier. The added bonus with this relationship is that it also allows Nayland to help out a local business.

Taea said it was important that schools and colleges role-model sustainable practices.

“Climate change is a big issue worldwide,” she said. “I think for people who are role models, people who can make the change, who have the power to do that, they should be setting an example for everyone. Because then we (the students) can follow along to make our school more eco-friendly.”