U.S. Senator Roger Marshall has announced that the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has voted to advance the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This legislation aims to bring back whole milk options in school cafeterias by reversing a previous law from the Obama Administration that removed whole milk from these programs.
“Today’s vote was a step to correct a major mistake made during the Obama Administration – and a great start to National Dairy Month,” stated Senator Marshall. “Whole and reduced-fat milk should have never been excluded from the National School Lunch Program. Now, 13 years after its removal, nearly 75% of children do not receive their recommended daily dairy intake. By increasing kids’ access to milk in school cafeterias, we will help prevent diseases down the road and encourage nutrient-rich diets for years to come.”
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), almost 90% of Americans fail to meet their daily dairy intake recommendations, with deficiencies noted in Calcium and Vitamin D intake. Whole milk is highlighted as an excellent source of these nutrients. Research by leading nutritionists suggests that whole dairy fats may not negatively impact diets and could potentially reduce heart disease risk.
The bill was initially introduced by Senator Marshall in June 2023 and reintroduced in April 2025 with bipartisan support. It is set to move to the Senate floor for a vote before heading to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
