Tag: student meals

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.”

Whole Milk in Schools Becoming Law, and Dairy Celebrates

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Years of legislative effort ended with victory for schoolchildren, dairy farmers and their cooperatives as Congress passed and a presidential signature is imminent for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a landmark restoration of choice in school meals.

The legislation gives schools the option of serving whole and 2% milk varieties in federally funded programs, returning fuller-fat varieties that had been left out of lunches since federal rules in 2012 pushed them out. Overwhelming congressional support, backed by newer nutrition science and pro-milk public sentiment, made legislation once considered aspirational a reality for dairy.

“It’s hard to overstate the significance of congressional passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, not only because it represents major progress in improving the nourishment of American schoolkids, but also because of what it says about how persistent, long-term effort can still bring bipartisan success in Congress,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement.

“Since 2012, when federal nutrition rules took whole and 2% milk out of school meals programs, dairy farmers and their cooperatives have pointed out the flaws in that decision, which wasn’t aligned with consumer choice. What was true then became even more true in years to come, as newer research consistently showed the value of milk at all fat levels and consumers moved even further toward fuller-fat varieties in their purchases.

“And now the day has arrived. We thank Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania and Representative Kim Schrier of Washington for their critical roles in championing the most recent version of this important legislation to the finish line and the many other congressional leaders who preceded them in their efforts to protect access to nutritious milk in schools. Dairy doesn’t succeed without tireless advocates on Capitol Hill, and it’s been an honor to work with these members and their staff in this effort.

NMPF led the way in congressional lobbying, with Executive Vice President Paul Bleiberg’s efforts singled out in Senate and House floor speeches backing the measure. NMPF has approached the issue on multiple fronts. From working with senators and House members to meeting with USDA to filing regulatory comments, NMPF worked to successfully reinstate 1% flavored milk in school meal programs in 2022, setting the stage for further advances in whole milk.

The legislative lift complete, the next step will be USDA implementation, as dairy cooperatives prepare to supply schools with whole milk. NMPF will be monitoring developments closely and keeping members in the loop as whole and 2% milk returns to school meals. Meanwhile, the organization eagerly implements the announcement of new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which also is expected to support dairy at all fat levels.