Whole Milk Goes Back to Schools
February 4, 2026
With President Trump’s signature — and NMPF cooperative members in attendance to witness — the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act became law Jan. 14. Focus now shifts to USDA implementation.
“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives couldn’t be more thrilled that whole and 2% milk is returning to school meals,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement upon signing. “Dairy is a nutrition powerhouse that should be used to its fullest potential — and that means making it available in the same varieties families consume at home.”
Kevin Satterwhite and Thomas French, dairy producers with Maola, attended the bill signing at the White House to celebrate the legislative victory.
Focus now shifts to USDA implementation. The department published guidance for schools on the updated fluid milk requirements for school lunch programs Jan. 14. The department will move forward with formal rulemaking in the months ahead to address both whole milk and the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
NMPF will be actively involved in the rulemaking process, working to ensure schools have the support they need to include whole milk on their menus.
“We are ready to help schools and USDA in any way we can as this important legislation is implemented,” Doud said in his statement. “We thank the Trump administration, our advocates on Capitol Hill, and everyone who has worked to make school meals better through increased access to dairy.”
