The first ever free milk ATM has appeared – to help highlight the importance of giving people access to daily dairy which many UK food charities are currently unable to provide. It marks the start of a nationwide roll out of fresh dairy provision in food charities across the country, after it was revealed an estimated 450,000 people who rely on these schemes do not have access to fresh dairy.

Despite fresh dairy being one of the most requested items at food charities according to FareShare, around one in five (19 per cent) of the charities it supports can’t offer it, with many forced to decline donations due to a lack of storage facilities. The innovative milk dispensing machine aims to raise awareness of this issue while allowing consumers to receive free, fresh milk at the push of a button.

Launched by Arla, it marks the next steps of the UK’s leading dairy cooperative’s commitment to enhance people’s access to daily dairy. The nationwide rollout of fresh dairy provision will also see the brand partner with Fareshare, the UK’s largest charity redistributing surplus food, to donate fully-stocked-and-sponsored fridges to charities across the country.

Jonathan Dixon, Senior Vice President at Arla said: “We are on a mission to enhance the accessibility of nutritious dairy products for communities across the UK. Too many charities have to turn away fresh dairy donations because they have nowhere to store it, but by working with FareShare, we hope to overcome that.”

Ben Ashmore, Head of External Affairs at FareShare, said: “Our charities report that the demand for nutritious dairy products is increasing, but many lack the infrastructure to store refrigerated items safely. Thanks to Arla’s generous commitment to donating fridges to charities across the UK, many of these organisations can now offer a more varied range of nutritious food.”

It comes after a study of 2,000 adults commissioned by the dairy brand found half of adults (50 per cent) couldn’t imagine not having access to milk on a daily basis, with 76 per cent consuming it at least a few times a week.

So much so that 35 per cent admitted they’d struggle if they didn’t have access to milk, with 53 per cent of the opinion that everyone should be able to easily get dairy based foods.

The research, conducted via OnePoll.com, also found 62 per cent were not aware that not all foodbanks have fridges and therefore can’t store fresh dairy products.

Nichola Ludlam-Raine, Specialist Dietitian, said: “As a registered dietitian, I strongly support initiatives like this that provide increased access to dairy products. A 200ml glass of milk provides protein, as well as the minerals calcium and iodine too, so regular consumption can help ensure we meet our daily needs for these particular nutrients.”