Tag: school lunch

Whole Milk Goes Back to Schools

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

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.”

NMPF Statement on Bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

From NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud:

“NMPF commends House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-PA, and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-WA, for continuing to lead their bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to help increase kids’ access to milk’s vital nutrients.

“The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee reaffirmed in its Scientific Report last December that most kids and adolescents are not meeting daily dairy intake recommendations. Good nutrition is a cornerstone of children’s health and development, and milk plays an unparalleled role in providing the nutrients kids need to grow and thrive. But kids take more milk, and drink more milk, in school when they have nutrient-dense options they like. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that dairy foods at all fat levels have a neutral or positive effect on health outcomes, ranging from lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes to reduced heart disease risk and healthy cholesterol levels.

“We are grateful to the House Education and the Workforce Committee for approving the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act today on a bipartisan vote. It’s a critical step toward finally expanding the popular, healthy milk options schools can serve to improve student nutrition.”