Mossgiel Farm have secured a contract to provide every school in East Ayrshire with their organic milk and in the process have wiped 400,000 single-use bottles from the council’s waste output.
Mossgiel will keep waste down to a minimum through the installation of milk vending machines in school, thus cutting out the need for unnecessary plastic waste from single-use cartons.
East Ayrshire Council began using mainly organic milk a number of years ago but not 100 per cent, due to the cost.
Earlier this year they sought to rectify that and put out a tender seeking a supplier that could give them 100 per cent organic milk, and Mossgiel answered the call.
Thanks to their vending machines, Mossgiel are able to lower the production costs of their milk, as well as having the added benefit of much less waste.
As well as removing 400,000 bottles, the new supply means no more lids and labels, and when combined with the bottles it takes the total to around 1.2 million items per year which will no longer be going in the bin.
They’ve committed to only working with organic family farms in SW Scotland. And as if that wasn’t enough, they say that within six weeks they will be operating an electric only fleet of vans as well, which will deliver the milk to schools, thus further reducing the company’s carbon footprint.
Farmer Bryce Cunningham from Mossgiel said:“To having almost lost our family farm due to low milk prices in 2015 and an unforgiving bank; to being able to work with East Ayrshire Council and operate a truly unique, 100 per cent organic, low emissions and waste free way to have all of our children drinking local organic milk is truly incredible.
“We are delighted to be breaking through barriers to contracts once only within the reach of large companies; the change in approach to local food by EAC is fantastic and very much important to a thriving Scotland.”
Councillor Claire Leitch, Cabinet Spokesperson for Net Zero Environment and Climate Change said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Bryce and his amazing team at Mossgiel. His innovative and humane farming methods, including keeping calves with their mums, and his commitment to making every element of his process as carbon free as possible is very impressive.
“Bryce is showing that local organic, plastic and fossil fuel free farming can be advantageous, and for our children, it’s great to know that we’re now giving them the best possible local produce to help establish healthy eating habits right from the start.
“His enterprise and passion sit very well with our Clean Green Climate Change Strategy which seeks to use local suppliers where possible, cut food miles, minimise carbon emissions and use of non-recyclable plastic. Bryce’s example shows that working together and taking brave decisions we can de-carbonise our economy while boosting local prosperity for the benefit of future generations.”
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