Grameen Danone Foods Limited in collaboration with Heifer Korea and Heifer International Bangladesh has recently launched a programme titled Milk for School Programme 2 under its community nutrition initiative at Salanga union under Ullapara in Sirajganj.
This new phase brings 7 additional schools, including Naimuri Government Primary School, under the programme; reaching around 1,000 schoolchildren with free, nutritious dairy products, said a press release on Sunday.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by key representatives from Grameen Danone Foods Limited and Heifer International, including Dipesh Nag, managing director of Grameen Danone Foods Ltd; Surayya Siddiqua, sales and marketing director of Grameen Danone Foods Ltd; Haewon Lee, executive director of Heifer Korea; and Nurun Nahar, country director of Heifer International Bangladesh.
Abu Mohammad Saleh Hasnath, upazila nirbahi officer of Ullapara, graced the occasion as chief guest, alongside local government officials and representatives.
The Milk for School Programme is designed to tackle child malnutrition and economic challenges among rural women dairy farmers.
Under the programme, women farmers supply milk to a Grameen Danone Milk Chilling Centre at Ullapara, where it is processed into Shokti+ fortified yogurt at the company鈥檚 Bogura factory.
The yogurt is then distributed free of cost to schoolchildren, providing them with essential daily nutrition while ensuring a stable income for local women.
Dipesh Nag said, 鈥榃ith the support of Heifer Korea, the inclusion of seven additional schools will enable us to reach more children with proper nutrition while empowering more women dairy farmers to strengthen their livelihoods.鈥�
Looking ahead, we hope to see greater collaboration from local authorities and partner organisations to expand this impact even further, he said, adding, 鈥楾his collective effort truly reflects our shared commitment to building a healthier, more resilient community鈥攕omething we can all take pride in.鈥�
Haewon Lee shared, 鈥楾he Milk for School Programme is close to my heart. It reminds me of my childhood in Korea, where I received milk at school. Today, we are bringing that same care to children in Bangladesh. This success belongs to our partners, the women farmers, and the local community.鈥�
