Arla Foods launches initiative with UAE Ministry of Education to promote healthier food habits among students

Arla FOODMoovers will be rolled out in 150 schools across the UAE

12 December, Dubai, UAE:   Arla Foods is proud to announce that it has launched an initiative in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Education to promote healthier food habits among school children. Arla FOODMoovers will be rolled out across 150 public and private schools in the UAE following the success of the pilot program at Dubai British School earlier this year and is aligned with Arla’s commitment towards the UAE health agenda. 
 
The program was recently launched (06 December 2018) in the presence of Her Excellency Jameela Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for General Education in UAE; His Excellence Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the UAE; Jens Alsbirk, Consul General of the Kingdom of Denmark to the UAE; H.E Dr. Amna AlDahak AlShamsi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Activities and Anette Holm, General Manager of Arla Foods in the UAE and Oman.

Arla FOODMoovers aims to enhance the health and nutrition habits of students through the 
application of healthy food practices which will be implemented through the student clubs in selected schools in a fun and educational way. The program is based on four main phases or FOODMooves: Research, Get Ideas, Create, and Maintain. The students will take responsibility to research and collect knowledge about their food and mealtime habits at home and school and use that information to develop ideas to create healthier food habits. They will then select the best idea and plan and implement their solution before sharing it with other students in the UAE and Demark, where Arla FOODMoovers has been rolled out across 200 schools. The program will culminate with a local competition in March 2019 and an international competition in April 2019, which will be judged by specialists from the UAE Ministry of Education and Arla Foods.

Speaking at the launch, H.E. Jameela Salem Al Muhairi, Minister of State for General Education in UAE highlighted the Ministry’s efforts towards the wellbeing of the students in the UAE and continuously working to ensure a healthier lifestyle in accordance with international standards. Her Excellency said, “The UAE Ministry of Education is working towards expanding its partnerships with all international institutions and companies to support the students' journey within the UAE schools from all relevant aspects, whether academic or health related.”

Anette Holm, General Manager of Arla Foods in UAE and Oman added, “We are proud of launching this initiative with the Ministry of Education in UAE. Inspiring to healthy food habits is very close to our heart in Arla and empowering students through new insights, teamwork and fun with fellow students create a strong foundation for 
sustainable changes in eating habits and thereby healthier living in the United Arab 
Emirates.”

The first phase of the interdisciplinary course will be applied to sixth grade students in the 150 participating schools across the UAE. The team from the Ministry of Education and Arla will provide each of the participating schools with an educational kit, which has been developed by specialists in nutrition, teaching and communication.