Tag: whole milk

NMPF’s Bjerga on Policy Wins in Challenging Times

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga discusses how dairy policy wins are helping to support farmers in a difficult economic environment in an interview with RFD-TV. With U.S. dairy cow numbers at a three-decade high and production increasing globally, legislation such as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and support from the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, which was reauthorized last year, and the new NEXT export-assistance initiative, will help farmers manage through challenging times, with additional solutions being explored.

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.

NMPF’s Bjerga on What’s Next for Whole Milk

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga discusses what comes next for whole milk in schools in an interview with WEKZ Radio in Janesville, WI. Passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in Congress will bring whole milk to the next generation of milk-drinkers and ultimately boost dairy prices, but in the meantime logistical and regulatory issues will need to be sorted out. Meanwhile, farmers may see a DMC payment in December as prices decline due to supply issues, and a bright outlook for trade is being boosted further with Senate confirmation of a new chief agricultural trade negotiator.  Bjerga also explains why people are freezing their eggnog for use later in the year, and why horses ate better than humans for much of the 20th century.

NMPF Celebrates House Passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

From NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud:

“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.

“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 staffs in this effort.

“The next step, after a presidential signature, is implementation. We pledge our fullest support to federal officials and school districts across the nation to help with implementation of this important legislation. Congress made a positive difference today. We are thrilled to be a part of it.”

Whole Milk Nearly Back in Schools as NMPF Leads Advocacy

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

U.S. Senate passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act opens a path to congressional passage this month, with NMPF leading an advocacy campaign to ensure prompt House of Representatives approval of legislation that will benefit children’s nutrition.

The Senate unanimously passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act on Nov. 20, leaving only House passage and a presidential signature before improved access to dairy nutrition in schools becomes law. The bill provides schools with the option of serving whole and 2% milk in addition to the 1%, fat-free, and flavored options currently offered.

Whole and 2% milk are the most consumed varieties at home, offering the same 13 essential nutrients including protein, calcium and vitamin D with a taste kids often prefer.

“Restoring schools’ option to offer whole and reduced-fat milk will mean more schoolkids will get the essential nutrients they need,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement after Senate passage. “This commonsense legislation will help American children get back on solid nutritional footing. We’re grateful that both sides of the aisle can come together and agree on the importance of making informed, science-backed decisions that prioritize the health and future of our children.”

Following the Senate’s action, NMPF last week launched a final advocacy campaign to get whole milk over the finish line and into schools. Dairy farmers and advocates wishing to urge their House members to bring the legislation to a floor vote can visit NMPF’s advocacy page and enter their message. NMPF is staying active on social media and in news outlets, pushing to get the bill on the House calendar.

USDA removed whole and 2% milk from school meals programs beginning in 2012 as part of an effort to slow obesity in American kids, a move based on science and nutrition advice that is now outdated. Research over the past decade has found that milk at all fat levels has a neutral or positive effect on health outcomes, ranging from obesity and diabetes to heart disease.

A bill similar to this year’s overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in 2023 but stalled in the Senate. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson, R-PA, has led the charge in the House on this issue for years, with Rep. Kim Schrier, D-WA, as coauthor, and this bill is expected to pass with strong bipartisan support once again.

The Senate legislation was co-sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall, R-KS, Peter Welch, D-VT, Dave McCormick, R-PA, and John Fetterman, D-PA. Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman, R-AR, and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, led the committee in approving the bill by voice vote in June.

NMPF’s Bjerga on the Push for Whole Milk

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga tells viewers how they can get involved in the push to put whole milk back on school lunch menus in an interview with RFD-TV. NMPF has put a call to action on its website, nmpf.org, which allows Americans to write their lawmakers, urging them to vote “Yes” on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in the House of Representatives. The legislation has already passed the Senate and is expected to pass the House easily — if it can get onto an already crowded floor schedule.

 

MAHA Strategy Supports Dairy as NMPF Urges Whole Milk Action

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The formal release of the Make America Health Again Commission’s report on Sept. 9 gave NMPF a chance to tout dairy’s critical place in nutrition and the science behind milk’s benefits.

“The MAHA Commission’s Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy recognizes what the latest science indicates and what we’ve long been saying: that getting whole milk back into schools and boosting dairy in diets helps meet America’s nutritional needs, and that it is critical to improving the health of our nation’s children,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement upon the report’s release.

“To further assist in dairy’s positive contributions to a healthier nation, we also urge Congress to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would provide schools the opportunity to serve the nutritious whole and 2% milk that school kids love and codify into law the endorsement given in the administration’s report.”

The MAHA strategy, aimed toward reducing childhood chronic illnesses, highlighted upcoming efforts to better align federal nutrition programs with scientific evidence, including overwhelming evidence showing the benefits of dairy at all fat levels.

NMPF Applauds Senate Committee for Advancing Whole Milk Bill

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation applauded the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for supporting by voice vote the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a vital piece of legislation for increasing student milk consumption and nutrition access. 

The bill’s markup today is a critical step in passing this bipartisan legislation, which has already been approved at the House committee level.   

“The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is about making informed, science-backed decisions that prioritize the health and future of our children,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said. “We’re grateful that this common-sense legislation has received such strong support from both sides of the aisle. We commend Senators Marshall and Welch for authoring this bill in the Senate and advocating passionately for its passage, as well as Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar for their bipartisan leadership in moving the bill through committee. Passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will allow more schoolkids to access essential nutrients in their diets, and that’s something everyone can get behind.”  

This bill, if signed into law, would provide schools with the option of serving whole and 2% milk. Whole and 2% milk are the most consumed varieties at home, more satiating than lower fat varieties and offer the same 13 essential nutrients including protein, calcium and vitamin D.  Currently, school meal rules in effect since 2012 only allow 1% and fat-free milk options.  

The bill is sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall, R-KS, Peter Welch, D-VT, Dave McCormick, R-PA, and John Fetterman, D-PA. In addition, Chairman John Boozman, R-AR and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, both strongly supported the bill as did many other committee members from both parties.  

The House of Representatives is considering similar legislation led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, R-PA, and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-WA. The House bill was approved by the House Education & the Workforce Committee with bipartisan support Feb. 12, and it now awaits floor action. The full House passed a similar bill in 2023, but that year’s session expired before Senate approval.  

With today’s successful committee vote, the next step is floor action in both the House and the Senate. NMPF has a call to action on its website urging dairy advocates to speak up on the bill.

MAHA Report Criticizes U.S. Food System, Cites Whole Milk’s Benefits

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

A White House commission’s report on food and public health released last week outlined numerous criticisms of the U.S. food system, alarming some segments of agriculture as dairy considered its implications.

The report from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) commission defended the importance of nutrient-dense “real” foods and specified whole milk for its benefits. “Whole milk and other dairy products are rich sources of calcium vitamin and bioactive fatty acids which support bone health help regulate inflammation and may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes,” the report said.

The commission, chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, released the report May 22.

As expected, the Kennedy-led report noted that American children are often unhealthy, which the commission attributed to ultra processed food, exposure to chemicals, lack of exercise, stress and overprescription of pharmaceuticals. The report criticized corporate influence of food marketing and said industry-funded nutrition research has led to “skewed outcomes” in dietary patterns and even the government’s recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The report didn’t single out farm chemicals atrazine and glyphosate as major problems requiring a ban while raising doubts about them by calling for more research into the effects of cumulative exposure to chemicals such as pesticides.

The report said the MAHA Commission will immediately begin developing a strategy to improve child health outcomes, with the report due in August.

Whole Milk Bill Poised for Senate Committee Vote

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is poised for more progress later today, with the Senate Agriculture Committee drafting its own version of the legislation, following the House of Representatives in moving forward critical legislation for dairy farmers.

The legislation sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Roger Marshall, R-KS, and Sen. Peter Welch, D-VT, has been a top NMPF priority for more than half a decade. It overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in 2023 but stalled in the Senate. Senate progress boosts the prospects for the legislation to become law, Welch said earlier this month in a Dairy Defined podcast.

“This is one of those things where, if we get it on the floor, and get the cooperation of leadership, we get the votes,” he said. “This is one of those areas of rare bipartisanship that we have right now.”

School meals rules in effect since 2012 only allow 1% and fat-free milk options, to reduce calorie intake and combat childhood obesity. But that deprives children of the benefits of the whole milk that’s more commonly served at home, which includes essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and potassium, all of which are crucial for the development of strong bones, teeth, and muscles.

Once the Senate approves the legislation as expected, both the House and Senate versions will be ready for floor votes in their respective chambers, after which lawmakers will reconcile the two versions for a final vote. NMPF has a call to action on its website, urging dairy advocates to speak up on the bill.

Whole Milk Legislation has 60% Chance This Year, Sen. Welch Says

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act has a 60% chance of becoming law this year, with congressional momentum building along with consensus that whole milk in schools is the best option for schoolkids, Sen. Peter Welch, D-VT, said in a Dairy Defined podcast released today.

“This is one of those things where, if we get it on the floor, and get the cooperation of leadership, we get the votes,” he said. “This is one of those areas of rare bipartisanship that we have right now.”

Welch, the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s rural development subcommittee, is a Senate co-sponsor of Whole Milk for Healthy Kids, which passed the House of Representatives in 2023 and this year is advancing in both chambers. The legislation would restore the ability of schools to offer whole and 2% milk as options.

Welch also serves on the Judiciary, Finance and Rules committees, touching on agricultural issues including immigration and trade.

You can find and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music under the podcast name “Dairy Defined.”