Drinking 'New-Look' Milk is Cool in Sharon Schools

Drinking milk at lunch has become cooler at and .

The older crowd, though, would recognize the milk containers in the cafeterias from their supermarket shelves, not their childhood memories.

Plastic 8-oz. bottles are "the new look of school milk," replacing the traditional half-pint cartons, school district Food Service Director Carol Judd said Wednesday. 

Milk consumption has since grown at Sharon High School, which switched in September 2009, and Sharon Middle School, which switched in September 2011, Judd said.

The new packaging keeps the milk cooler while enhancing its appeal to kids, she said.

"It's a cooler kind of way to drink milk," she said.

"I know when I want milk, I want really cold milk."

The Sharon schools recently received a $2,782 New England Food and Dairy Council grant for signs and menu boards further promoting healthy eating and physical activity at the two schools.

The council is rewarding school districts that change to the plastic bottles, nutrition specialist Erin Redding said.

"According to The School Milk Pilot Test that was performed in 2001/02, switching to milk in plastic bottles will increase milk sales around 15 percent in elementary schools and 22 percent in secondary schools," she said. 

"This is especially important as we know that most children are not getting the calcium, vitamin D, and potassium that is recommended. In fact, calcium, vitamin D, potassium and fiber were identified as nutrients of concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines because so many Americans are not meeting the recommendations. Milk provides three out of the four of these nutrients—calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. In addition, it's a great source of protein."

Judd said offering the new-look milk at the elementary schools as well appeals to her.

"This is a harder cap for kids to open, but they are working on a screw cap," Judd said.

"It's more expensive, but if it brings up milk consumption, I don't mind spending it."