‘Strive for 35˚’ Contest Offers Cool Prizes for Schools

Ice cold is cool, at least when it comes to milk at Blue Mountain Elementary Cressona in Schuylkill County, Pa., and Harrison Elementary in Trenton, N.J. The schools entered the “Strive for 35^o” milk temperature survey contest and were randomly selected as grand prize winners.

Each school won a new black and white cow-spotted milk cooler with a built-in digital thermometer for the school cafeteria by monitoring the temperature inside the milk cooler. Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association sponsored the “Strive for 35^o” milk temperature survey to reinforce the importance of storing and serving milk ice cold at school.

Temperature is a key component of the taste and appeal of milk for everyone, but especially for kids who are more likely to choose milk with their meals when it’s served between 35 degrees and 40 degrees. Properly chilled milk stays fresh longest at this temperature, according to the National Dairy Council^®.

“It is essential to make sure milk is served at a temperature that children prefer,” said Janette Carpentier, vice president of school marketing, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “With nine essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D to build strong bones, milk is a vital part of a healthy school meal. We encourage all foodservice staff to take time each day to monitor the temperature of milk coolers and strive for 35 degrees.”