Members of New York’s Senate Agriculture Committee are raising their voices to the state’s members of Congress, asking them, through a measure in the 2023 Farm Bill, to allow 2% and whole milk to be served once again in schools.
New York State Senate Agriculture Chair, Michelle Hinchey, issued a letter on the request, asking leaders to include a measure in the 2023 Farm Bill to give the power of milk choice back to school districts.
“The nutritional value of milk is unmatched,” Hinchey said in the letter. “Whole milk contains no more than 3.5% fat and one-third of those fatty acids are Omega-3, which have been linked to many health benefits, including improved heart health, brain health, and a lower risk of cancer.”
She later went on to cite a 2020 New York Times article which stated children who drink whole milk are 39% less likely to become overweight compared to those who drink lower-fat or skim milk.
“Now more than ever, the Federal Government must remove its restrictions on whole milk in public schools based on outdated information that doesn’t consider the benefits it would provide to students,” Hinchey adds.
New York, one of America’s top dairy-producing states, is made up of more than 3,500 dairy farmers who produce approximately 15 billion lbs. of milk annually. Hinchey says this move would benefit her state’s dairy farmers as well.
“This would provide a great economic boost to New York farmers and dairy producers throughout the state, strengthening our economy,” she says.
In response to the letter, New York Senator George Borrello issued a statement, saying, “I want to thank Senator Hinchey and my colleagues on the Senate Agriculture Committee for supporting the call to return 2% and whole milk to our schools. Whole milk is nature’s original health drink. It is packed with calcium and essential nutrients that promote good health for children and adults of all ages. Let’s give students the opportunity to choose the nutritious milk of their choice and give our dairy producers a market for all their milk varieties.”
