Dairy company hands out Cool Stuff for Kids

Dairy giant Meadow Fresh is encouraging Whangarei schools to claim their share of $500,000 worth of sports and art equipment as they launch their Cool Stuff for Kids initiative.

The initiative will see equipment distributed to schools throughout the country.

Schools send in stickers collected from specially marked Meadow Fresh milk and yoghurt packs which are converted into prizes including Gilbert netballs and rugby balls, and Staedtler stationery. More than 360 schools across the country have already signed up.

Meadow Fresh marketing manager Caroline Jones says the initiative aims to help give kids a fresh start by providing them with gear to help them enjoy school.

She said Meadow Fresh wanted to "do our bit for kids and local schools" so they could "get the most out of life".

"What is important is having a balance of prizes for kids that would complement what they may already have access to - sports equipment to get kids healthy and active and arts supplies to keep their minds healthy and active," she said.

One litre of milk has one sticker while two litres has three. A six-pack of yoghurt has three stickers while a 12-pack has six stickers.

At the end of the promotion, schools send in their stickers and a tally sheet. The stickers are then converted into schools winning a share of the prize pool.

Ms Jones says Meadow Fresh wants to give all schools that enter a prize so the ones that reach a minimum of 20 stickers will receive a prize pack.

There is no limit to how many stickers schools can collect.

Schools can also register their preference for art or sports equipment. Ms Jones said every effort would be made to make a school's first choice available.

Meadow Fresh is the second dairy company to start up an initiative in schools this year.

Fonterra is currently running a pilot in Northland for their Milk in Schools programme which looks to be reintroduced to schools across the country next year.

The Cool Stuff for Kids initiative is run by Goodman Fielder NZ and registration is now open. Collection of stickers runs from July 16 to October 14. Register at www.meadowfresh.co.nz.