Glenn W. Thompson
06/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/04/2026 10:32
Thompson, Courtney Introduce Legislation to Improve Access to Milk in School Cafeterias
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) introduced the bipartisan Funding Refrigeration Equipment for Student Health(FRESH)Act. This legislation creates a USDA competitive grant program for K-12 schools to acquire and install milk dispensers or cold storage equipment for use in school cafeterias, making it more financially feasible for schools to provide whole milk to students.
Specifically, the FRESH Act would establish a $4 million competitive grant program, with a 75% federal cost share, to help schools invest in milk dispensers and the cold storage equipment needed to serve fresh milk to students.
"Milk is a vital building block for a well-rounded and balanced diet, providing 13 essential nutrients that supplement growth and health, which help students thrive in the classroom," Rep. Thompson said. "The bipartisan FRESH Act will give schools the opportunity to invest in milk dispensers and the refrigeration needed to ensure they can readily supply milk to students throughout the year."
"Milk is at the foundation of a nutritious school meal. I'm excited to partner again with Rep. Glenn Thompson to expand milk availability for students by introducing the FRESH Act," Rep. Courtney said. "By supporting schools' purchase of milk dispensers and cold storage equipment, we can provide more students with dairy options. This is an investment to build stronger relationships between our schools and our dairy farms, supporting students' health and their learning."
"Whole milk is back, and the volunteers of 97 MILK appreciate Congressman Glenn Thompson's effort to help schools make the transition while encouraging students to love milk again," said GN Hursh, Chairman of 97 MILK. "Our mission is whole milk education, and we look forward to helping students and their families rediscover whole milk and the benefits of complete protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals milk naturally provides. We appreciate Congressman Thompson's commitment to student nutrition and bringing whole milk choice back to school cafeterias across America."
"The Grassroots Pennsylvania Dairy Advisory Committee strongly supports Congressman Glenn Thompson's FRESH Act as an important step to restore nutritious, delicious, cold, farm-fresh whole milk for schoolchildren," said Bernie Morrissey, Chairman of the Grassroots PA Dairy Advisory Committee. "As the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is now being implemented across all school meals, the FRESH Act provides a grant pilot program to help this transition. Refrigerated milk dispensers demonstrate the ability to attract students' interest, improve taste, reduce waste, lower costs, and avoid packaging disruptions while delivering whole milk's high-quality protein, essential nutrients, and healthy fats that support key vitamin absorption, brain development, satiety, and overall health. We thank Congressman Thompson for his dedication to student nutrition and the dairy farmers and industry working every day to provide wholesome milk."
"Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is proud to support legislation that would create grant opportunities for school districts to expand access to nutritious beverages, such as milk, for students in their schools, further ensuring that students have access to the essential nutrients they need to learn and thrive," said Chris Hoffman, President of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
"Dairy farmers witness firsthand the care and nutrition that go into every glass of milk. Making sure school-aged kids have access to milk during the day helps them stay nourished, focused, and ready to learn. That's why schools need the proper equipment, so that milk is available, safe, and appealing to students. Investing in that infrastructure invests in the health, development, and success of the next generation. Dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own are proud to continue our work with Chairman Thompson to expand milk access in schools through the FRESH Act," said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation.
"Milk is a nutritious beverage that plays an important role in helping students grow, learn, and thrive. The FRESH Act provides schools with practical resources to invest in refrigeration and dispensing equipment that can expand student access to milk and strengthen school meal programs," said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association.
"The American Dairy Coalition applauds Congressman Glenn Thompson's FRESH Act to help schools successfully reintroduce whole unflavored and flavored milk for breakfast and lunch as USDA implements the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act," said Walt Moore, President of the American Dairy Coalition. "Refrigerated milk dispensers can help schools make this transition to deliver cold, fresh milk and its essential nutrients, high-quality protein, and healthy fats. The FRESH Act equips schools to improve student acceptance, reduce waste, and manage costs, while helping more students enjoy whole milk again. We appreciate Congressman Thompson's leadership in supporting child nutrition, dairy farmers, and practical solutions for schools."
Read the full bill text here.
Specifically, the FRESH Act would establish a $4 million competitive grant program, with a 75% federal cost share, to help schools invest in milk dispensers and the cold storage equipment needed to serve fresh milk to students.
"Milk is a vital building block for a well-rounded and balanced diet, providing 13 essential nutrients that supplement growth and health, which help students thrive in the classroom," Rep. Thompson said. "The bipartisan FRESH Act will give schools the opportunity to invest in milk dispensers and the refrigeration needed to ensure they can readily supply milk to students throughout the year."
"Milk is at the foundation of a nutritious school meal. I'm excited to partner again with Rep. Glenn Thompson to expand milk availability for students by introducing the FRESH Act," Rep. Courtney said. "By supporting schools' purchase of milk dispensers and cold storage equipment, we can provide more students with dairy options. This is an investment to build stronger relationships between our schools and our dairy farms, supporting students' health and their learning."
"Whole milk is back, and the volunteers of 97 MILK appreciate Congressman Glenn Thompson's effort to help schools make the transition while encouraging students to love milk again," said GN Hursh, Chairman of 97 MILK. "Our mission is whole milk education, and we look forward to helping students and their families rediscover whole milk and the benefits of complete protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals milk naturally provides. We appreciate Congressman Thompson's commitment to student nutrition and bringing whole milk choice back to school cafeterias across America."
"The Grassroots Pennsylvania Dairy Advisory Committee strongly supports Congressman Glenn Thompson's FRESH Act as an important step to restore nutritious, delicious, cold, farm-fresh whole milk for schoolchildren," said Bernie Morrissey, Chairman of the Grassroots PA Dairy Advisory Committee. "As the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is now being implemented across all school meals, the FRESH Act provides a grant pilot program to help this transition. Refrigerated milk dispensers demonstrate the ability to attract students' interest, improve taste, reduce waste, lower costs, and avoid packaging disruptions while delivering whole milk's high-quality protein, essential nutrients, and healthy fats that support key vitamin absorption, brain development, satiety, and overall health. We thank Congressman Thompson for his dedication to student nutrition and the dairy farmers and industry working every day to provide wholesome milk."
"Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is proud to support legislation that would create grant opportunities for school districts to expand access to nutritious beverages, such as milk, for students in their schools, further ensuring that students have access to the essential nutrients they need to learn and thrive," said Chris Hoffman, President of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
"Dairy farmers witness firsthand the care and nutrition that go into every glass of milk. Making sure school-aged kids have access to milk during the day helps them stay nourished, focused, and ready to learn. That's why schools need the proper equipment, so that milk is available, safe, and appealing to students. Investing in that infrastructure invests in the health, development, and success of the next generation. Dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own are proud to continue our work with Chairman Thompson to expand milk access in schools through the FRESH Act," said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation.
"Milk is a nutritious beverage that plays an important role in helping students grow, learn, and thrive. The FRESH Act provides schools with practical resources to invest in refrigeration and dispensing equipment that can expand student access to milk and strengthen school meal programs," said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association.
"The American Dairy Coalition applauds Congressman Glenn Thompson's FRESH Act to help schools successfully reintroduce whole unflavored and flavored milk for breakfast and lunch as USDA implements the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act," said Walt Moore, President of the American Dairy Coalition. "Refrigerated milk dispensers can help schools make this transition to deliver cold, fresh milk and its essential nutrients, high-quality protein, and healthy fats. The FRESH Act equips schools to improve student acceptance, reduce waste, and manage costs, while helping more students enjoy whole milk again. We appreciate Congressman Thompson's leadership in supporting child nutrition, dairy farmers, and practical solutions for schools."
Read the full bill text here.
Glenn W. Thompson published this content on June 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 04, 2026 at 16:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]