With strong support from the Trump Administration, Congress is considering proposals to allow the return of whole milk and full-fat dairy products to the menus of schools receiving federal nutrition aid.
Hearings on reversing the prohibition adopted roughly 15 years were held Tuesday by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Senators heard positive assessments of the policy change from foodservice directors Krista Byler, also a chef for the Union City Area School District of Spartansburg, PA, and Dan Gorman, FSD of Montague Area Public and North Muskegon Public Schools in Montague, MI. Gorman is a member of the K-12 Foodservice Leadership Council, a study group maintained by the IFMA Food Away from Home Association.
Both expressed a preference for returning whole milk to menus without eliminating reduced-fat or no-fat options, citing the positive effects of providing choice. Byler shared the results of a test her facility conducted to see if the offer of whole milk would prompt students to drink more milk overall. Consumption jumped 50%, and nearly 64% of the youngsters said they opted more often for milk specifically because they could choose whole milk.
Milk waste dropped by 95%, Byler testified.
Many consumers regard whole milk as more flavorful and satisfying than skim or 2% milk.
The hearings were held after Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, called publicly for adjusting the “antiquated’ rules governing the School Lunch Program. He specifically cited the return of whole milk to school menus as a priority for his department.
He and other public-health advocates contend that whole milk is inherently more healthful than skim or reduced-fat milk because of its composition. They cite nutritional components that aid in brain formation and learning.
A bill to allow the return of whole milk to schools participating in the federal nutrition program has already been introduced in the Senate. Although introduced by Republic Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas, the measure enjoys bipartisan support.
Corresponding legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives as well. It, too, has drawn support from both political parties, and was passed out of committee in a bipartisan vote.
“Today’s hearing demonstrates the broad, bipartisan support the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act enjoys in Congress, and among parents, nutritionists and school meals professionals alike,” Michael Dykes, CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, said on the day of the Senate hearings.
As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.