Farmers back Februdairy with #CheeseADayChallenge
© Tim Scrivener Farmers have thrown their support behind the #CheeseADayChallenge to taste the best the UK has to offer, as Februdairy kicks off this month.
Anyone can get involved by tasting a different cheese each day throughout February, to help show the incredible range of hard, soft and blue cheese produced in the UK.
See also: Charlie Beaty: Forget Veganuary – it’s time for #Februdairy
Cambridgeshire farmer Tom Martin said the initiative was a great opportunity to celebrate the dairy industry.
“I have no vested interest in the dairy industry. I am not a dairy farmer, I’m just proud of the world-leading standards we have here in the UK,” Mr Martin said.
If you like #cheese, why not join me and many others in tasting different cheeses through February? @Poachercheese have put together a great selection of hard/soft/blue from across the UK, which you can buy here: https://t.co/bCWBo7AtnZ
Join me for the #CheeseADayChallenge 2021 pic.twitter.com/wYdtsBKSnG— Farmer Tom (@Farmer_Tom_UK) January 9, 2021
Februdairy sees milk producers and supporters use social media to promote the industry and the benefits of consuming dairy.
Dairy cows turn non-edible grasses into nutritious milk, cream and cheese – just one of the many ways that British farming contributes to a sustainable food system ? #BackBritishFarming #WeEatBalanced pic.twitter.com/LdWVg0DNQe
— National Farmers’ Union (@NFUtweets) January 28, 2021
Pictures and videos are posted throughout the month, using #Februdairy, to help answer questions consumers may have, or to simply show how people are enjoying dairy products.
On the first day of #Februdairy my true love gave to me, a delicious, frothy, milky latte. ? ? #EatBalanced #WeEatBalanced #BackBritishFarming #teamdairy #milk pic.twitter.com/Q4LriQiatd
— Thisfarmlife (@thisfarmlife) February 1, 2021
The Ulster Farmers’ Union is raring to go.
Supporting #Februdairy-starts tomorrow! ???
Throughout the month, the UFU will be sharing content highlighting the health benefits of consuming dairy products, how dairy production benefits the environment and the UK's world leading production methods.https://t.co/GdJZKIp8z9 pic.twitter.com/3zUopsnGWm— Ulster Farmers' Union (@UFUHQ) January 31, 2021
Nutritional benefits of milk
A 200ml glass of semi-skimmed milk contains:
- 41% of your recommended daily intake of iodine
- 31% of your recommended daily intake of calcium
- 14% of your recommended daily intake of protein
- 74% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin B12
- 35% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin B2
- 28% of your recommended daily intake of phosphorus
Source: Milk: Nutrition information for all the family, Dairy Council, 2018
1 more sleep……… ?
2 more hours…….. ✌?
The countdown is on ⏰ #Februdairy ? #teamdairy ?#proudofdairy ??#BackBritishFarming ??@britishdairying @NFU_Dairy pic.twitter.com/LjGhlrEGxJ
— Liz Hoggarth ?? (@LizHoggarth) January 31, 2021
Marking the start of Februdairy, Janet Finch-Saunders, the Welsh Conservative shadow minister for rural affairs, urged people to buy local dairy produce.
“Encouraging more people to buy dairy produce can have a positive impact on our collective health, especially due to the presence of nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. This is why I am encouraging everyone to get involved and sample their local dairy delicacies,” Mrs Finch-Saunders said.
Welsh Conservative shadow minister for rural affairs Janet Finch-Saunders (centre) at the milking parlour at Berth Ddu Farm in 2017. © Welsh Conservatives