Legislation that would bring whole milk and 2% milk back to school meal programs easily passed the Senate Ag Committee with bipartisan support.
Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota says she supports the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act but did express concern about future funding for the SNAP and school nutrition programs. “We must also acknowledge that the House just sent us a bill that cuts nearly 300 billion from nutrition programs which will cut millions from the SNAP program and actually in a slight-of-hand, put it over to the states.”
The bill would give school meal programs the opportunity to include “flavored and unflavored organic or nonorganic whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, fat-free fluid milk and lactose free fluid milk.” An amendment was included that would allow nondairy beverages that are, “nutritionally equivalent to fluid milk and meet the nutritional standards established by the Secretary.” The bill also gives parents the ability to request milk options.
Klobuchar says the USDA’s own data shows the number one item purchased through the SNAP program is milk.
An additional amendment to the Whole Milk bill from Illinois Senator Richard Durbin was also included that would require school staffs are trained for food allergy recognition and responses.
The amended legislation has the support of the National Milk Producers Federation and the Plant Powered School Meals Coalition, which includes the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Friends of the Earth.
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was passed by the U.S. House in the last Congressional session, but must go back through the House for approval.
Reactions to the bill’s passage in committee:
National Milk Producers Federation:
“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.”
American Farm Bureau Federation:
“Farm Bureau appreciates the Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup and passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This bipartisan legislation will allow schools to offer additional nutritious milk varieties to students. Whole and 2% milk, as well as flavored options, are wholesome choices for children and an important building block for a healthy, balanced diet. By offering milk options that align with both modern nutritional research and student preferences, schools can increase milk intake at a critical time, knowing nearly 90% of Americans don’t consume enough dairy. We’re grateful to Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) for their leadership in introducing this bill in the Senate, as well as Representatives Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-Pa.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) for introducing the House version.”
The Plant Powered School Meals Coalition, including The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine & Friends of the Earth:
“Putting parents in charge of their children’s nutrition at school is long overdue. As is removing the unnecessary red tape that prevents students from being served healthy nondairy milks at school,” said Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, president of the Physicians Committee. “If Congress truly wants schools to serve milks that best meet their students’ needs, soy milk and other healthy nondairy options should be easily available to all who want them.”
“All students should be able to access the nutrition they need to thrive and receive beverages they can actually drink,” said Chloë Waterman, senior program manager at Friends of the Earth. “Removing barriers for students to access nondairy milk options will help school meals align more with dietary science, expand healthy choices for families, and reduce food waste. Thank you to the Senate Agriculture Committee members for their leadership to ensure equitable access to nutritionally appropriate beverages at school.”
