By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee recently passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, aiming to restore whole and reduced-fat milk options in school cafeterias. This legislation seeks to improve children’s access to nutritious milk choices during school meals.
The bill was originally introduced in June 2023 and reintroduced in April 2025 with strong bipartisan support. It reverses the 2010 policy that removed whole milk from school lunch programs.
“Whole and reduced-fat milk should never have been excluded from the National School Lunch Program,” said Sen. Marshall. “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.”
This legislation has received widespread backing from national and state-level dairy organizations. The National Milk Producers Federation, along with 42 cooperatives and associations across the country, supports the bill. In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, supporters emphasized the importance of giving schools the flexibility to provide milk options that suit students’ needs.
Research has shown that whole and 2% milk are the most popular and most consumed by children, suggesting that these options may be more effective in improving dairy intake levels among students.
The bill will now head to the Senate floor for a full vote. If approved, it will move forward to the U.S. House of Representatives for further consideration.
If passed into law, this act could help schools provide more nutritious choices to students, supporting better health and stronger diets across the country.
The proposed change reflects a growing interest in school nutrition reform and highlights the role of dairy in student health and development.
Photo Credit:kansas-livestock-foundation
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Dairy Cattle