Arla Foods supports local causes in Yorkshire

Leeds-based dairy company, Arla Foods, has supported its colleagues in raising over £13,000 for good causes in Yorkshire.

Through the company’s Community Challenge initiative, which is Arla's commitment to working with local communities, Arla colleagues from the head office, dairy, national distribution centre and transport hub, all based in Stourton, along with colleagues at Settle creamery, have raised money for over 30 causes and organisations in the Yorkshire region.

Nicola Hedge, head of public relations, said: “Many colleagues throughout the business are involved in fundraising or volunteering, and Community Challenge is a great way to reward them for their commitment and dedication to their local communities.”

Over the past year a wide variety of organisations have benefited from the initiative, including Martin House and Hannah House, as well as homeless charities, schools, sports teams and brownie and scout groups. Donations are commonly used to purchase new equipment and kits, and generally enable the groups to continue to operate in their local areas.

Community Challenge allows Arla colleagues to apply for a grant of £250 if they volunteer regularly for a group in their community or, if taking part in fundraising events for local charities, they can apply for Arla to match-fund the money they raise.

Nicola added: “Over the last three years, Community Challenge has helped over 100 community projects throughout the UK. We are continuing with the scheme in 2012 and hope it enables more colleagues to support many more good causes.”

Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.

Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.

Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.