FrieslandCampina dairy farmers treat to hot Chocomel with whipped cream
With Christmas round the corner, the member dairy farmers of FrieslandCampina will go out and visit 250 care homes throughout the Netherlands. The intent is to treat over 30,000 residents and their healthcare professionals to hot Chocomel with whipped cream on 17 December.
“Such a treat is one of the bright spots in these dark days,” said dairy farmer, Ilonka Haamberg. Last Tuesday, she handed out Chocomel in a care home in Denekamp, the Netherlands. Today, member dairy farmers from the province of South Limburg to the isle of Texel will get ready to go out all through the Netherlands.
From local initiative to national campaign
Four years ago, dairy farmer, Edwin Sengers, organised a Christmas dinner for lonely elderly people at his farm in Wijchen, the Netherlands. Although this was a great success, Edwin noticed that a group of elderly people, who are less mobile, was missing at the table. And, so, a new initiative was born: farmers from different regions went to visit the care homes themselves in the period before Christmas. Made enthusiastic by the many positive responses, the initiative has, by now, grown to become a national activity during which the dairy farmers go out for the third time this year to bring a smile on the faces of the elderly.
Set off with the tractor
“I work here as a care professional for a few days a week,” said Ilonka Haamberg. “Even though the measures are somewhat less strict in the Christmas period of 2021 than they were last year, I know from experience that every bright spot is more than welcome.” The treat as well as the extra attention, certainly are bright spots. “This is such a nice gesture. Hot Chocomel with whipped cream is one of our favourite drinks. We will sit down inside together and have a good time. Merry Christmas!” remarked one of the residents.
In 2020, Ilonka went with her family to the residents in a large tractor, but this year the children had their own tractors and carrier cycles. Wearing their overalls and with Chocomel hats on their heads they went to see the residents with containers well-filled with cartons of Chocomel and cans with Campina whipped cream. “Hopefully we can drink hot Chocomel with the residents and have a nice chat with them inside again in the year 2022. Fortunately, everyone also liked it very much this way.”