Moving Closer to Whole Milk for Healthy Kids

Smith: Both legislative chambers have now passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, meaning the bill is nearly across the finish line. Danny Munch, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the legislation takes an important step toward offering children more choice in their school lunch.

Munch: It would amend the National School Lunch Act so that schools may offer whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, fat-free milk, flavored or unflavored. The change doesn't mandate whole milk. It simply restores the option for schools to serve that if they choose, and it also expands demand for butterfat in the dairy industry, which boosts prices during a time of acute need.

Smith: The bill still has to make it across the President's desk, but then the Department of Agriculture will get to work on implementation.

Munch: Once the bill is signed, the USDA, through its Food and Nutrition Service, will issue updated guidance and regulations that reflect the new statutory authority. Individual school districts will then decide if and when to offer whole milk or 2% milk in their cafeteria menus. Many school districts adjust those menus between semesters or on an annual cycle, so adoption could occur within the start of the new year or months later when they set up for next year.

Smith: This legislation also brings very good news for dairy farmers.

Munch: For dairy farmers, the benefits will mirror how many districts adopt whole or 2% milk. The more that do, the higher demand for butter fat, which builds positive price pressure for milk prices. We are really excited to get this across the finish line, and this is something Farm Bureau has been pushing for since these changes were made to school lunch programs.

Smith: Learn more by searching 'whole milk' at fb.org. Chad Smith, Washington.