NORWICH – As part of an ongoing effort to promote healthier eating, students and staff at the Stanford Gibson Primary School are undertaking a new program that ensures students get much-needed nutrition in their diets.

Snack milk – part of an attempt to encourage healthy eating habits for children starting at a young age – is a new initiative at Gibson this year and according to school officials, it’s one that has been helpful in providing calcium at a much needed time for growing children and their growing bones. While snack milk is a simple idea, said Food Service Director Sue Ryan, its effects are substantial.

“It’s an idea that started when (Gibson Principal) Dara Lewis noticed an increasing number of broken bones among younger students,” Ryan explained. “Snack milk is just that; milk that’s a snack for kids ... This is an afternoon break when kids can get the calcium they need.”

With the recent nationwide push for schools to offer kids more healthier alternatives, Gibson has been encouraging kids, particularly younger ones, to drink more milk in place of juices, sports drinks, sugary drinks and water. “Even the kids who can’t drink milk might drink soy milk instead,” added Ryan.

Despite its benefits, snack milk does face some drawbacks. Not every family can afford another milk for their child every day. At 40 cents per carton, the price of snack milk can really add up.