Dairy farmers in Pine Plains are welcoming new federal legislation that would allow whole milk back into school cafeterias, saying the change could help boost demand for local milk while giving children access to a product they are more likely to drink.
The bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, sponsored by Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), and Rep. Josh Riley (D-NY-19), passed the House of Representatives this week after clearing the Senate in November. The bill drew broad bipartisan backing in Congress. It was co-sponsored by 38 Democrats and 80 Republicans in the House and by lawmakers from both parties in the Senate, and it received overwhelming support in the House, with 330 votes in favor. It now heads to the president’s desk.
The legislation reverses federal guidance in place since 2012 that discouraged schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s meals program from serving whole milk.
“We think it’s great. It’s a long time coming. It’s really great to have the support,” said Jessica Meiller, the young stock manager at Lo-Nan Farms in Pine Plains.
The dairy operation produces an estimated 19 million gallons of milk annually. Meiller said the earlier shift away from whole milk in schools hurt dairy producers.
“It was a big hit when they took out the whole milk from the schools,” she said, adding that the legislation allows farmers to “do more with their milk and promotes their nutritious product.”
Under the bill, schools would be permitted to offer flavored and unflavored whole milk in addition to existing low-fat and fat-free options, according to a press release from Ryan’s congressional office. Supporters say the change reflects updated scientific research and student preferences.
At Chaseholm Farm in Pine Plains, dairy farmer Sarah Chase said whole milk offers both nutritional and practical benefits.
“I’m a firm believer that kids should have the chance to drink whole milk. It’s a great food option and it would mean a lot for dairies,” Chase said. “Milk tastes better with the fat in it and it’s good for growing bodies and brains. Maybe if whole milk is offered, kids would choose milk more. It’s my opinion that processed sugars in drinks are the thing we should be more worried about than a small percentage of fat in milk.”
In a press release, Ryan said that the legislation addresses nutrition challenges among school-aged children while supporting dairy farmers.
“The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act takes on America’s growing food and nutrition-insecurity issues with school-aged children by expanding students’ access to the most popular, nutrient-rich types of milk in their school lunches,” Ryan said.
For dairy farmers in Pine Plains, a historic dairy community, supporters say the bill signals renewed recognition of whole milk’s role in both child nutrition and the agricultural economy.