Schools

The Senate’s approval of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act could soon give schools the option to serve whole and 2% milk again.

With kids returning to school, bottling production is ramping up amid tightening spot milk supply, raising the question of whether this is a short-term issue or a longer-term trend.

U.S. dairy processors have reduced added sugars in flavored milk by nearly 60% as part of a broader industry effort to improve child nutrition in schools.

Through the Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment, the dairy industry is pledging to remove certified artificial colors from milk, cheese and yogurt served in K-12 school meals by July 2026.

Spearheaded by U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Kim Schrier (D-WA), alongside Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Peter Welch (D-VT), Dave McCormick (R-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA), this bipartisan, bicameral effort aims to allow both unflavored and flavored whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk to be served to students during their school meals.

Comparable to a soda fountain, the machine allows students to decide just how much milk they want to take and uses reusable cups each day.