Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, Peter Welch, Dave McCormick, and John Fetterman, along with U.S. Representatives G.T. Thompson and Kim Schrier, have introduced bipartisan legislation to amend the Richard Russell National School Lunch Act. The amendment would allow schools participating in the program to serve whole and reduced milk as part of the National School Lunch Program.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans indicate that nearly 90% of Americans do not meet their daily dairy intake recommendations. Milk is a significant source of calcium and vitamin D, which are considered nutrients of public health concern. This legislation aims to expand healthy milk options in schools to improve students' nutrition intake and enhance child nutrition health outcomes.

Senator Marshall commented on the issue: "Whole and reduced fat milk should never have been excluded from the National School Lunch Program... Whole milk is an excellent source of 13 essential nutrients for students and adults alike in building strong bones."

Senator Welch added: "Milk provides growing kids with key nutrients they need... This bill helps provide our next generation grow stronger and helps dairy farmers do what they love–feed our communities."

Senator McCormick stated: "The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act puts milk back in schools that our growing kids actually want to drink... Allowing schools to serve whole milk and reduced-fat milk... is just commonsense."

According to Senator Fetterman: "Kids need wholesome, nourishing food to grow strong and stay healthy... Let’s give them the option to enjoy it again in schools—it’s good for them, they’ll actually drink it, and it supports our farmers."

Rep. Thompson emphasized: "Federal policy, based on flawed, outdated science has kept whole milk out of school cafeterias for more than a decade."

Congresswoman Schrier noted: "As a pediatrician, I know how important a balanced and nutritious diet is for children’s health... Milk is a significant part of many children’s diets."

Michael Dykes from the International Dairy Foods Association expressed gratitude towards those supporting the act: “IDFA thanks Reps. G.T. Thompson (R-PA-15) and Kim Schrier (D-WA-8), Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Fetterman (D-PA) and David McCormick (R-PA)..."

Gregg Doud from the National Milk Producers Federation also praised the initiative: “NMPF commends Reps. Thompson and Schrier, and Senators Marshall, Welch, McCormick, and Fetterman..."

Recent findings suggest that whole dairy fats may not negatively impact diet; instead, they could potentially reduce heart disease risk.