The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry took a key step toward expanding milk choices in schools today, advancing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act by voice vote. The bipartisan legislation, which has already cleared a House committee, would allow schools to once again offer whole and 2% milk, options currently excluded under federal school meal rules in place since 2012.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) applauded the committee’s action, calling it a crucial move toward improving childhood nutrition and giving schools greater flexibility to serve nutrient-dense dairy products.
“The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is about making informed, science-backed decisions that prioritize the health and future of our children,” says Gregg Doud, NMPF president and CEO. “We’re grateful that this common-sense legislation has received such strong support from both sides of the aisle.”
The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and John Fetterman, D-Pa., would give schools the option to serve whole and 2% milk — choices that are currently not allowed under federal school meal guidelines established in 2012. Those rules restrict milk offerings to 1% and fat-free varieties.
If enacted, the legislation would mark a significant shift in school nutrition policy. Whole and 2% milk are the most commonly consumed varieties at home and have been shown to be more satiating for children while still delivering the same 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D and high-quality protein.
“Passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will allow more schoolkids to access essential nutrients in their diets, and that’s something everyone can get behind,” Doud adds.
Support for the legislation extends beyond the dairy sector. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) also welcomed the committee’s action.
“Farm Bureau appreciates the Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup and passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” says Zippy Duvall, AFBF president. “This bipartisan legislation will allow schools to offer additional nutritious milk varieties to students. Whole and 2% milk, as well as flavored options, are wholesome choices for children and an important building block for a healthy, balanced diet.”
The legislation is rooted in efforts to address declining milk consumption in schools. Since the removal of whole and reduced-fat milk from school menus more than a decade ago, overall milk intake among students has dropped. Advocates say reintroducing these options could help reverse that trend, especially at a time when nearly 90% of Americans fall short of recommended dairy intake levels.
“By offering milk options that align with both modern nutritional research and student preferences, schools can increase milk intake at a critical time,” Duvall says.
The House of Representatives is also considering companion legislation, led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, R-Pa., and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash. That version passed out of the House Education and the Workforce Committee with bipartisan support earlier this year and now awaits floor action. A similar bill cleared the full House in 2023 but failed to reach the Senate floor before the session ended.
With momentum now building in both chambers, dairy organizations are urging lawmakers to bring the bill to a final vote. The National Milk Producers Federation continues to call on dairy advocates to contact their representatives and push for the bill’s passage.
Your Next Read: New Federal Milk Marketing Order Reforms Take Effect
