Thursday was World School Milk Day at Brookhaven Elementary, andstudents learned about the benefits and importance of dairy foodsfrom two local farmers.

Carl Roberts from Union Church and Randy Earls from Lake Lincolnvisited the children with the goal of increasing awareness andanswering questions.

“This is the first year to have it here,” said TonyaThomas-McSweyn, director of child nutrition for Brookhaven SchoolDistrict. “I think the kids have really enjoyed it. They’ve askedsome really great questions.”

Classrooms filtered outside two at a time to hear Roberts andEarls speak about milk and dairy products and various types of feedfor the cows.

Roberts and Earls also brought a 2-week-old calf and a milk pumpto inform the students about proper animal care.

“For us, we just want to be out here and educate the kids andthe public about where their milk comes from and about buyinglocal,” Roberts said. “We also want to help them learn about theimportance of taking care of their bodies and growing strong.”

Earls said it is important for farmers to make appearances likeThursday’s not only to educate the youth but also to help supportthe dairy business.

“There are few (dairy farmers) left,” he said. “It’s good to getthe message out about the industry. And there are so few youthgoing into farming that it’s important to not let people forgetabout where their food is coming from.”

The day was organized by Thomas-McSweyn and Rebecca Turner, arepresentative from the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association(SUDIA).

According to a press release from the organization, SUDIA is anon-profit association that works with schools, healthprofessionals, retailers, dairy processors and the public topromote dairy foods.

“Participation in World School Milk Day provided BrookhavenElementary School with a great opportunity to teach students aboutthe importance of drinking milk for stronger bones and healthierbodies,” said Greta Heru, school program account manager for SUDIA,in the release.

Turner explained teaching about dairy products helps to informstudents and parents about essential vitamins and nutrients.

“Today, our children are lacking in three essential vitamins andnutrients: calcium, potassium and vitamin D,” she said. “These arethree things that dairy products can provide.”

Turner said a helpful tip for parents is to try to get rid ofserving their children sugar-sweetened beverages and replace themwith milk.

Thomas-McSweyn said having farmers come to the school helped aspart of the teachers’ curriculum. Students are currently learningabout essential vitamins and nutrients in the classroom.

“This has been good to encourage the students to pick up milk,and it also helps the teachers because they’re teaching aboutthings like calcium,” she said.

Overall, the organizers and farmers shared the same sentimentsthat it is most important that children know where their food iscoming from.

“We like to spread awareness to them about things like dairy,”Roberts said. “That way they know what they are picking up at thegrocery stores.”